Punjab orders fire hydrants around 57 major government hospitals in the first phase, while the Punjab Healthcare Commission directs public and private hospitals to strengthen fire safety measures and conduct regular inspections and drills.
Webdesk-Sardar Muneeb
The Punjab government has ordered the construction of fire hydrants around all major government hospitals across the province. According to the Housing Department spokesperson, a list of 57 government hospitals has been prepared for the first phase.
WASA has been tasked with identifying suitable locations and installing the fire hydrants.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Healthcare Commission has directed all public and private hospitals to fully comply with fire safety laws and standards. Hospitals have been instructed to ensure the availability of firefighting equipment, emergency exits and maps, building fitness certificates, trained staff, and regular fire safety drills.
The Punjab Emergency Services Department has also been directed to complete fire safety inspections of public and private hospitals and submit details of hospitals violating safety regulations to the PHC.
The measures come after a fire at the nursery of PIMS Hospital’s gynecology ward in Islamabad on Wednesday morning reportedly killed 14 newborns. A CDA Fire Brigade report also revealed that fire prevention and life-safety arrangements at PIMS were inadequate.
