CDA Report Claims Emergency Exits Were Locked at PIMS During Deadly Fire

In practice, a Capital Development Authority (CDA) report has raised serious questions regarding fire safety arrangements at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after finding that emergency exits at the hospital were locked or obstructed during a fire that killed 14 newborns.

Key points

• Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
• The chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Dr.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-level inquiry committee headed by former federal secretary Shahid Khan.
• The prime minister has additionally suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri after the incident.
• CDA Tightens Rules On Housing Scheme And Layout Intends.

Meanwhile, the report, prepared by the CDA's Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management, remarked fire and life-safety arrangements at the Mother and Child Hospital were "inadequate" and did not meet standard requirements. CDA Tightens Rules On Housing Scheme And Layout Intends.

It additionally identified that emergency exits and escape routes were permanently locked from the outside or obstructed. The report further alleged that hospital security staff created hurdles for firefighters during the initial response.

In practice, the findings contradict PIMS' earlier statement that all emergency exits were fully open and operational when the fire broke out.

For context, the blaze began at around 6: 38 a.m. On Wednesday in the third-floor nursery of the Mother and Child Hospital. According to PIMS afterwards, 14 newborns died, while staff evacuated mothers and patients from the adjoining gynecology ward.

In practice, the CDA report has additionally raised questions concerning the timing of the emergency response.

As the report notes, the first emergency call was received at 6: 54 a.m., around 16 minutes after PIMS recorded the fire starting. A fire crew was dispatched at 6: 55 a.m. And reached the hospital at 7: 01 a.m.

Notably, the CDA recorded the official response time as six minutes, based on the dispatch and arrival times. Nevertheless, the report does not explain why the first emergency call was produced 16 minutes after the documented start of the fire.

Firefighters eventually deployed six fire tenders, six ambulances, a rescue van and a water bowser. Ladders were applied to enter the nursery through a rear gallery during rescue operations.

For context, the report cited inadequate crowd management at the scene. The CDA report additionally listed an electrical short circuit or plug overload as the probable cause of the fire.

PIMS has remarked a spark was followed within seconds by a major fire, with oxygen points installed at each incubator potentially contributing to the rapid spread. Hospital staff reportedly applied 35 fire extinguishers while attempting to control the blaze.

Govt Announces Rs. 5 Million Compensation for Each Family Affected by PIMS Fire.

In practice, the chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, additionally questioned the nursery's condition. He remarked CCTV footage demonstrated that an air conditioner, previously linked to the fire, was switched off.

Malani remarked the nursery was located in an aging structure and questioned why a newer block nearby remained underutilized.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a high-level inquiry committee headed by former federal secretary Shahid Khan. The committee visited PIMS and was directed to submit preliminary recommendations within 48 hours and its complete report within five days.

Meanwhile, the prime minister has additionally suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri after the incident. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover.

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For now, CDA Report Claims Emergency Exits Were Locked at PIMS During Deadly Fire remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.