PIMS tragedy: No one responsible for newborns’ deaths will be spared, health minister assures lawmakers

Islamabad (Web Desk): Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has assured lawmakers that those found responsible for the deaths of 14 newborns in the PIMS Hospital fire in Islamabad will face action, stressing that the tragedy will not be allowed to fade from public attention.

Speaking in the Senate on Friday, Kamal said he regarded the incident as his responsibility as the health minister and had appeared before the house to face accountability.

"I am the health minister. I consider myself responsible [for the tragedy].... I presented myself [for accountability],” said Kamal while addressing the Senate session.

He also proposed setting up an investigation body that would include opposition representatives to examine the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s deadly incident.

Addressing senators, the minister said he accepted responsibility for the deaths of the 14 children but urged lawmakers not to reach conclusions until the inquiry had been completed.

Kamal said an investigation committee was already working on the case and was expected to present its report later that night.

According to the minister, the government was waiting for the inquiry’s findings and any determination of responsibility should be made strictly on the basis of available evidence.

"The decision of the investigation should be based on evidence," he said, adding that investigators would review digital material, video recordings and testimonies from people who witnessed the incident.

He added that authorities were also gathering detailed information from the families of the infants who lost their lives.

Kamal said every relevant institution had been instructed to extend full cooperation to the investigators and reiterated that anyone found responsible would face consequences.

“Whoever is found negligent will not be spared. Not a single individual will be spared in the investigation.”

The minister said he had already suggested in the Senate that parliament should establish a committee to examine the tragedy. He further proposed that lawmakers from both the National Assembly and Senate could be brought together in a joint investigation body.

Kamal maintained that the Ministry of Health was prepared to hand over all records, information and other details available to the parliamentary committee.
Responding to demands for his resignation, the minister said he would refrain from commenting on the

issue until the investigation reached its conclusion.

“Let the investigation be completed. I have already taken action beyond what they are thinking,” he added.

Separately, both the National Assembly and Senate on Friday approved motions seeking the creation of a special parliamentary committee to look into matters surrounding the PIMS tragedy.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the motion in the National Assembly, while Senator Sherry Rehman presented the proposal in the Senate.

The upper house authorised Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to establish the special committee, while National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was empowered to constitute the body in the lower house.

The committee will be formed following consultations between the Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker.

The two parliamentary leaders will also decide its terms of reference and determine how many members will be included.

The special committee will investigate issues connected with the PIMS tragedy.

A day earlier, the federal government had announced Rs5 million in compensation for the family of each newborn who died in the fire at the PIMS gynaecology ward.

In its statement, the government said it shared the pain and grief of the affected families and would extend every possible form of assistance and support.

It also acknowledged that no amount of money could make up for the loss of a human life, saying the compensation was intended to help reduce some of the difficulties faced by the bereaved families.

The tragedy occurred on Wednesday when a fire broke out at the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre at PIMS, resulting in the deaths of 14 babies.

A PIMS statement said the incident was “initially caused by a spark inside the nursery at 06:38am”, after which the presence of oxygen points at each incubator caused the fire to spread rapidly.

The hospital said two doctors and two nurses who were on duty reacted immediately and contacted security personnel. According to the statement, security staff attempted to enter the nursery twice, but a blast then took place, resulting in the collapse of ceilings.

Witnesses, however, presented a contrasting version of events, saying they had to wait for hours for emergency assistance and eventually broke windows to gain access to the affected ward. Some witnesses also claimed that the doors had been locked.

The hospital administration and the government subsequently rejected allegations that emergency services had been delayed or that emergency exits were locked.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and removed Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri from his post.

The incident has generated strong public anger and intensified demands for accountability.

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Health Services has also sought explanations from the PIMS administration over allegations of negligence and possible failures in safety arrangements.