CM Maryam orders fire safety checks at Punjab government hospitals
Maryam Nawaz has directed officials to assess emergency exit routes at government hospitals and ensure that they remain easily accessible during emergencies. She has also ordered officials to inspect the exits in consultation with Rescue teams.
The review will focus on whether patients, hospital staff and visitors can leave buildings quickly if a fire or other emergency occurs. Authorities have been asked to address any problems identified during the inspections.
Fire hydrant work ordered across Punjab
The chief minister has directed officials to complete work on fire hydrants at hospitals within seven days. She has also ordered the construction of fire hydrants around all major government hospitals across Punjab.
Fire hydrants can provide firefighters with access to water during emergencies and support firefighting operations in large hospital buildings. The government’s latest instructions aim to ensure that hospitals have essential firefighting facilities available when needed.
57 hospitals selected for first phase
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, a list of 57 government hospitals has been prepared for the first phase of the initiative. These hospitals will be among the first facilities to undergo fire safety assessments and related improvement work.
Officials will review existing arrangements and identify shortcomings that need to be addressed. The first phase could also help authorities assess the level of preparedness at different hospitals before expanding the programme further.
Focus on patient and staff safety
Fire safety is particularly important in hospitals because many patients may need assistance during an emergency. Some patients may be unable to move quickly because of their medical condition or dependence on medical equipment.
Also Read: PIMS hospital fire kills 14 infants, investigation launched
Clear emergency exits, working alarms, firefighting equipment, and accessible hydrants can help hospitals respond more effectively to a fire. The latest directive places greater emphasis on verifying these arrangements rather than relying solely on existing records.
Recent hospital fire raises concerns
The new measures come amid concerns over fire safety at hospitals following a recent fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. According to the information provided, 14 newborns were killed in the incident.
The tragedy has increased attention on fire prevention and emergency response arrangements in healthcare facilities. Hospital safety systems are particularly important in areas such as neonatal wards, where patients are especially vulnerable and may require immediate assistance during an emergency.
Authorities face tight deadlines
The provincial government has set clear deadlines for several parts of the safety drive. Hospitals across all districts are required to submit details of their fire safety arrangements by August 27.
Officials have also been directed to complete fire hydrant-related work within seven days. The deadlines are intended to speed up the assessment process and ensure that identified safety gaps are addressed without unnecessary delays.
