Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday ordered an urgent review of fire-safety protocols at all public sector health facilities of the province, as the Punjab Healthcare Commission similarly issued directions for public and private hospitals to strengthen emergency preparedness after a fire at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) left 14 newborns dead.
In its directive, the PHC urged health departments, the Punjab Emergency Services Department and hospital administrations to take “immediate steps to ensure comprehensive arrangements for responding to fire and non-fire emergencies.” It stressed on ensuring the availability of trained personnel, functional emergency equipment, adequate resources and regular emergency drills to guarantee prompt and effective response to any disaster.
The PHC further called for all public and private hospitals to comply with the prescribed Minimum Service Delivery Standards, including requirements under the Facility Management System and Hospital Infection Control. Hospitals have been instructed to establish an emergency coding system, including “Code Red” for fire incidents.
Medical institute have also been directed to develop and implement standard operating procedures, prominently display emergency exit maps, and obtain required building safety and fitness certificates.
To ensure compliance, the PHC has asked the Punjab Emergency Services Department to inspect hospitals under Section 3(3) of the Punjab Community Safety Act, 2021, and the Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations, 2022. Additionally, it said fire safety audits of all public and private hospitals should be completed “without delay.”
The PHC warned that any hospitals in violation of required measures would be issued inspection reports containing recommendations for improvement.
Punjab C.M.
The Punjab chief minister has similarly issued detailed directions to provincial authorities for an immediate review of fire-safety arrangements at public-sector health facilities.
According to a notification, all deputy commissioners have been directed to assess the availability and functionality of fire extinguishers and firefighting arrangements at public-sector teaching hospitals, district and tehsil headquarters hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Hospitals and Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics.
Inspection teams have also been directed to assess the “suitability and accessibility” of existing emergency exits in consultation with Rescue 1122, with a consolidated report on findings from all districts to be submitted by Aug. 27 (today).
The Punjab chief minister has further directed Rescue 1122 to review the “existing availability and functionality of hydrant points” and identify locations where new hydrants were needed within or near health facilities across the province. Divisional commissioners have been ordered to personally supervise the work and complete it within seven days, with a consolidated compliance report be submitted by Sept. 4.
Additionally, all deputy commissioners, with the assistance of Rescue 1122 and other departments, have been ordered to make “monthly emergency mock drills in health facilities a permanent feature” to continuously assess compliance with emergency-safety requirements.
The health secretaries and the chief executive officer of the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab have also been directed to prepare a feasibility report for installing technology-driven fire-alarm systems, smoke detectors and water sprinkler systems in intensive care units, nurseries and emergency units of tehsil and district headquarters hospitals and tertiary-care hospitals. A feasibility report in this regard must be presented to the chief minister within one week.