Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met the nurse who saved an infant’s life during last month’s tragic fire at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), awarding her Rs. 10 million in recognition of her extraordinary bravery and sense of duty.
The awarding followed last week’s approval of the conferment of the Sitara-e-Khidmat and cash reward.
The fire in the Mother and Child Hospital of PIMS on Aug. 26 resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns. The incident has triggered calls for health sector reforms and led to the examination and implementation of fire safety mechanisms nationwide.
“Nurse Razia Noreen, by placing her own life in danger, saved the newborn with courage … for this noble act, may Allah Almighty bestow abundant reward,” the prime minister said during his meeting with the nurse at Prime Minister’s House. He said the entire nation took pride in her actions and acknowledged her bravery.
Sharif emphasized that apart from the monetary reward, the real recognition was that she truly deserved this honor. He further announced the Sitara-e-Khidmat would be conferred on her on March 23, 2027, in recognition of her extraordinary services. He noted that the mother of the child saved by Noreen would forever remember her in her prayers.
The prime minister reiterated his vow that anyone found responsible for the incident would not be spared. “The government will make every effort in this regard,” he said.
Noreen told the prime minister she was “only carrying out her duty,” as she had been entrusted with the safety of the children. She said she was happy to receive recognition and hoped fellow nurses followed her example and replicated her dedication and work.
Recalling the fire, she said she could not think of anything and went straight inside to save whoever she could. She said she had instructed another nurse to save the children, who then helped her rescue people outside the neonatal ward, including mothers who recently underwent C-sections.
According to Noreen, the child she saved weighed just 1,050 grams. She said she had ran back inside after handing him to Dr. Abdul Rehman but an explosion had occurred, preventing her from rescuing any more children.