All Hospitals Should Undergo Third-Party Safety Audits: PAT

Instead of shifting responsibility onto employees, systemic flaws must be addressed: PAT Secretary General
The thought of the tragedy befalling the parents of innocent children is deeply distressing

Secretary General of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, said that the tragedy at Islamabad’s PIMS Hospital is unforgettable. He called for internationally recognized safety standards to be ensured in hospitals across the country to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future. “The thought of the tragedy that has befallen the parents of innocent children is deeply painful. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the bereaved families,” he said.

He said the incident should be investigated independently and transparently within a clearly defined timeframe. The investigation, he added, should impartially examine every aspect of the tragedy, including the actual cause of the fire, the rapid spread of flames due to oxygen, the closure of ward doors, the alleged delay in emergency response, emergency evacuation arrangements, and the availability and functionality of fire-safety equipment. He stressed that the findings of the investigation should also be made public so that it can be determined where and how negligence occurred.

Gandapur said that suspending two or four officials would not be enough. “The real need is to rectify the outdated system and administrative shortcomings that create the conditions for such tragedies,” he said.

He further called for third-party safety audits of hospitals across the country to ensure the safety and protection of patients.