Seven PIMS officers charge-sheeted over nursery fire that killed 14 newborns

Seven officers of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, including its executive director, have been charge-sheeted by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination over alleged negligence in the nursery fire of August 26 that killed 14 newborns, according to the charge sheets reported by Minute Mirror and The News.

The charge sheets, dated October 23 and signed by ministry Secretary Momin Agha, accuse the officers of inefficiency and misconduct under Rules 3(a) and 3(b) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikander is accused of failing to ensure regular fire drills, functional firefighting equipment, nursery-specific standard operating procedures and an incident-command protocol. The charge sheet also accuses him of neglecting routine inspections, noting that two fires occurred at the hospital within a month.

Joint Executive Director Dr Mutahir Shah is accused of failing to conduct fire drills, check firefighting equipment, prepare emergency SOPs, communicate neonatal evacuation procedures and implement corrective measures recommended after an earlier fire at a hospital hostel.

Joint Executive Director (Non-Medical) Ch Waris Ali Raza is accused of failing to maintain the Mother and Child Health building and the neonatal intensive care unit, with deficiencies listed as obstructed entry and exit routes, poor ventilation and faulty equipment.

Prof Dr Nosheela Amjad, Director of MCH, is accused of failing to ensure an approved evacuation plan with designated routes and procedures for prioritising patients, and of not making nursery staff familiar with their emergency responsibilities.

Dr Sadia Riaz, head of neonatology, is accused of failing to ensure that the medical and paramedical staff rostered for the night of August 25-26 were present. The charge sheet also alleges that no system was in place to check staff attendance against the duty roster.

Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jalil is accused of laxity in addressing deficiencies related to the cause of the fire, and Senior Registrar Dr Nagham Nawaz of leaving her duty station unsupervised during the fire and failing to ensure that qualified staff were present in the NICU.

The charge sheets mark the beginning of disciplinary proceedings under the 2020 rules. A health ministry official said the officers will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations before any findings or penalties are determined.