- Days after 14 newborns were killed in a deadly blaze at an Islamabad hospital, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the suspension of eight officials and ordered criminal proceedings against them, his office said.
- A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said the premier made the decision based on an inquiry committee’s recommendations in its interim report.
- The eight individuals are namely PIMS executive director (ED) Dr Rana Imran Sikander, joint executive directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Chaudhry Awais Ali Shah, head of neonatal department Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, senior registrar Dr Nagham, Dr Naushila Amjad, PIMS Security Assistant Director Mohammad Usman, and Dr Abdul Rehman, the director general of the Emergency Services of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
- The prime minister directed that not only departmental action be taken against those individuals, but criminal action under the relevant laws also be initiated, the PMO said.
- The prime minister also approved action against the company tasked with the security and its officers.
- The premier ordered that National Institutes of Health Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mohammad Salman be appointed as the acting executive director of PIMS.
- He also approved a Sitara-i-Khidmat award and PKR 1 million for nurse Razia Noreen who “saved a child without regard for her own life,” the PMO said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken decisive action following a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns. On Saturday, he suspended eight officials and ordered criminal proceedings against them, as stated by his office.1
The fire erupted in the gynaecology ward on Wednesday, prompting an inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee's interim report led to the suspension of key personnel, including PIMS executive director Dr Rana Imran Sikander and several other senior officials.3
The prime minister emphasized that both departmental and criminal actions should be pursued against those responsible. Additionally, he approved actions against the security company involved in the incident. Dr Mohammad Salman has been appointed as the acting executive director of PIMS to oversee the facility during this crisis.46
In a gesture of recognition, the prime minister awarded nurse Razia Noreen the Sitara-i-Khidmat award and a monetary reward of PKR 1 million for her bravery in saving a child during the fire, as reported by the PMO.7
“The suspended officials include PIMS executive director Dr Rana Imran Sikander and six others, with action also approved against the security company. PM Sharif appointed Dr Mohammad Salman as acting PIMS executive director and approved a Sitara-i-Khidmat award and PKR 1 million for nurse Razia Noreen, who 'saved a child without regard for her own life'.”
