The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister, where the inquiry committee presented its interim findings into the fire that broke out in the hospital’s neonatal ward.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, those approved for suspension include PIMS Executive Director Prof. Dr. Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr. Mutahir Shah and Dr. Owais Ali Shah, Head of the Neonatal Department Prof. Dr. Saadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr. Naghma, Dr. Nosheela Amjad, PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr. Abdul Rehman.
The prime minister directed that those found responsible should face both departmental proceedings and criminal action under the relevant laws. Action has also been approved against the private security company responsible for security arrangements at the hospital and its officials.
The inquiry briefing revealed serious shortcomings in fire safety and emergency preparedness at PIMS. Officials told the meeting that the hospital lacked detailed standard operating procedures and proper training for dealing with fires and other emergencies.
The investigation found that only two subsections of PIMS's 13 SOPs mentioned fire or emergency situations, while no supervisory staff was present in the ward when the incident occurred.
At the time of the fire, two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were present in the ward. According to the briefing, the fire spread through and engulfed the ward within approximately two minutes. One nurse reportedly risked her life to rescue a child before the flames spread further.
Emergency services were called around six minutes after the fire started, while the first emergency response reportedly arrived another 15 minutes later.
The investigation also found that the neonatal ward had no fire alarm or sprinkler system and that required World Health Organization safety standards were not being followed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the award of Sitara-e-Khidmat for the nurse who risked her life to save a child. He also ordered that a nurse and a female security guard who were present in the ward be made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) while further investigations continue.
The prime minister directed that Dr. Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institute of Health (NIH), be appointed Acting Executive Director of PIMS. He also ordered the immediate appointment of new officials to replace those removed from their positions.
The interim inquiry report has been ordered to be made public and will be uploaded on the Ministry of National Health Services' website.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said those responsible for criminal negligence would not be given any concession and vowed that those found responsible would be brought to justice.