ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to address fire safety in hospitals across the country by making fire safety training mandatory for all house officers, ARY News reported.
PMDC President Dr. Rizwan stated that the council will oversee the training, adding that a structured fire safety program will be instituted for all PMDC house officers.
He further elaborated that this training will become a mandatory requirement of the house job period.
Under the initiative, house officers will receive hands-on training in fire safety, emergency drills, and the safe evacuation of patients.
Dr. Rizwan noted that fire safety and evacuation drills will be conducted regularly in medical colleges and teaching hospitals.
He added that house officers will also be trained to identify potential fire hazards and properly operate firefighting equipment.
Earlier, on Aug 26, at least 14 infants were died in a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) early Wednesday morning, ARY News reported, citing sources.
According to rescue officials, initial reports indicate that a short circuit caused the fire at the capital’s major hospital.
Hospital sources stated that a female doctor managed to save one infant’s life from the nursery.
Firefighters have since extinguished the blaze in the hospital nursery, and a cooling process is currently underway.
Sources added that the fire erupted after an air conditioner compressor exploded around 6:45 am.
Speaking to ARY News, PIMS Chief Professor Imran Sikandar confirmed the deaths of 14 infants, adding that one infant and several adults were rescued during the tragic incident.
“An investigation into the incident is underway, though the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined,” he said.
He emphasized that every aspect of the incident will be probed.
An inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, has been formed to determine the cause of the fire in the PIMS nursery.
The district administration stated that the fire broke out on the third floor of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ward of PIMS.
Meanwhile, as many as six fire tenders and four ambulances participated in the fire-extinguishing operation.
