ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired an emergency meeting on health affairs and the fire at the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), reiterating that no leniency would be shown to officials found negligent in their duties.

“No leniency will be shown to officials found guilty of criminal negligence,” the premier vowed.

Fourteen infants were killed in the fire early last Wednesday, with lawmakers in both houses of parliament demanding accountability. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal assured that those responsible would “not be spared”.

During the meeting, the premier also directed the health minister and health secretary to be physically present at Pims on alternate days and oversee the implementation of measures to improve the hospital’s facilities.

The prime minister was briefed on matters related to the health sector, including a detailed briefing on the ongoing investigation into the fire.

Health Minister Kamal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Health Secretary Captain (retd) Muhammad Mahmood and Pims Executive Director Dr Muhammad Salman attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that, in light of the interim investigation report, steps were being taken to ensure that PM Shehbaz’s decisions were implemented.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also directed that improved medical and treatment facilities be provided at Pims and that all necessary safety measures be fully implemented.

He further ordered that the process of health-sector reforms be expedited.

Last Saturday, the inquiry committee established to investigate the deadly hospital fire had submitted its interim report to PM Shehbaz, after which the premier ordered the suspension of and criminal action against eight officials.

The eight individuals named in the report are former Pims executive director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar — who was removed from his post after the incident; Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, head of neonatology at Children Hospital, Pims; Dr Nagham, senior registrar in the neonatology department; Dr Mutahir Shah, joint executive director, MCH; Ch Waris Ali Raza, joint executive director (non-medical), Pims; Dr Nosheela Amjad, director, MCH; Dr Abdul Rehman, director general, CES, CDA; and Muhammad Usman, assistant director (security).

The prime minister specifically directed that those identified by the inquiry committee face not only departmental action but also criminal proceedings under the relevant laws, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

However, standing committees in both houses of parliament questioned the probe on Monday, raising concerns over incomplete CCTV footage and the disputed number of infants present in the nursery.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Health, chaired by MNA Mahesh Kumar Malani, was not satisfied with the report prepared by the inquiry committee.

“We have called this meeting regarding the Pims tragedy because we are not satisfied with the report of the committee constituted by the prime minister,” Malani said.

Kamal, however, defended the inquiry and invited members to raise their objections.

The Senate Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, reviewed the adequacy of medical, paediatric and emergency care, fire safety arrangements, administrative and systemic deficiencies, accountability measures, patient safety and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The committee also visited the Pims nursery and expressed serious concern over the absence of fire alarms and reports that emergency exits had been closed.

Deadly fire at Pims

On August 26, 14 babies were killed after a fire erupted at the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre at Pims.

According to a Pims statement, the incident was “initially caused by a spark inside the nursery at 06:38am”, and within seconds a massive fire erupted due to oxygen points at each incubator. It said two doctors and two nurses on duty responded immediately and called security staff, who tried twice to enter the nursery before a blast occurred and the ceilings collapsed.

But, witnesses said they waited hours for emergency services and were forced to smash windows to reach the affected ward, while some alleged that doors were locked.

The hospital and government later disputed claims of delays and locked emergency exits.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident and removed federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri.

The tragedy has since sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.