LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered fresh fire safety audits at all government hospitals across Punjab. She has also directed hospital administrations to submit their reports within 24 hours.
The decision follows the PIMS Tragedy, which has raised serious concerns about fire protection measures at healthcare facilities. Consequently, the Punjab government has moved quickly to review safety arrangements across the province.
Maryam Nawaz directed officials to inspect firefighting systems at every major public healthcare facility. Moreover, she stressed that patient safety must remain the highest priority during the inspection process.
The fresh safety drive will cover teaching hospitals, District Headquarters hospitals and Tehsil Headquarters hospitals. Officials will also inspect Maryam Nawaz Hospitals and Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics across Punjab.
Deputy commissioners will lead the inspection process in their respective districts. They will check fire extinguishers and confirm whether hospitals have enough equipment to control a fire during an emergency.
Inspection teams will also examine the condition and functionality of other firefighting equipment. Officials will identify safety gaps and ask hospital administrations to address urgent problems without delay.
The PIMS Tragedy has also increased attention on emergency exit routes inside hospitals. Therefore, authorities will check whether patients, attendants and medical staff can safely leave hospital buildings during a fire.
Officials will also work with Rescue 1122 teams as they review emergency arrangements. This coordination will help hospitals prepare practical response plans for fires and other dangerous situations.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has asked officials to collect detailed information from every district. Authorities will compile the findings into a comprehensive report and present it to the chief minister.
The government has set August 27 as the deadline for the consolidated report. Additionally, all divisional commissioners will personally monitor the safety exercise in their respective divisions.
The chief minister wants officials to complete the initial safety measures within one week. Therefore, district administrations and hospital management teams must respond quickly to problems inspectors identify.
Maryam Nawaz has also instructed individual hospital administrations to complete their fresh fire safety audits immediately. They must submit their findings within 24 hours and highlight areas that require urgent action.
Following the PIMS Tragedy, the provincial government has placed special emphasis on protecting newborn babies and other vulnerable patients. These patients may require additional support during evacuation because they cannot leave emergency areas without medical assistance.
Moreover, hospital administrations must ensure that emergency routes remain accessible at all times. Clear evacuation arrangements can help medical teams move patients quickly when a fire or another emergency threatens their safety.
The government also expects hospital officials to keep firefighting equipment ready for immediate use. Regular checks can help staff identify damaged, expired, or unavailable equipment before an emergency occurs.
At the same time, Rescue 1122 consultation will help hospitals strengthen their emergency response planning. Rescue experts can guide hospital teams on evacuation procedures, fire response, and coordination during critical situations.
The PIMS Tragedy has highlighted the importance of strong safety checks at healthcare facilities. As a result, Punjab authorities now want every public hospital to reassess its preparations rather than rely on previous inspections.
Maryam Nawaz has made it clear that officials must take patient protection seriously. She has also warned that authorities cannot tolerate negligence when the lives of patients, newborns and healthcare workers remain at risk.
Furthermore, the province-wide audit will allow the government to identify hospitals that need immediate improvements. Officials can then focus resources on facilities with weak firefighting systems, limited emergency exits or inadequate response arrangements.
The government expects commissioners, deputy commissioners and hospital administrators to coordinate throughout the process. This approach aims to ensure that officials not only identify safety shortcomings but also take corrective action quickly.
Ultimately, the response to the PIMS Tragedy could strengthen fire preparedness across Punjab’s public healthcare system. The government now expects hospitals to improve prevention, emergency planning, and evacuation arrangements to protect patients during any future crisis.
