PIMS lacked fire safety NOC, sources claim

ISLAMABAD: PIMS Hospital did not have a valid fire safety No-Objection Certificate (NOC), sources have revealed, raising fresh questions over fire safety compliance at healthcare facilities in the capital.

According to sources, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) lacked the required fire safety NOC. At the same time, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), the body responsible for regulating healthcare facilities, was itself facing inadequate fire safety arrangements at its office.

Sources said IHRA also did not have a fire safety completion certificate, despite being responsible for issuing and renewing licences for hospitals, laboratories and clinics.

They alleged that the authority renews licences without ensuring the required fire safety arrangements or obtaining NOCs from IHRA and the relevant fire department. Sources further claimed that, during the annual licence renewal process in November and December, photographs of rescue and emergency training are sometimes used as evidence of compliance.

According to sources, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has written to the authority twice, urging it not to issue certificates to hospitals that lack adequate fire safety arrangements.

However, the authority has allegedly not responded to either letter.

IHRA is responsible for regulating healthcare facilities and ensuring compliance with safety and security standards.

Fire safety arrangements and emergency-response training are among the requirements considered during the annual licence renewal process.

The revelations come days after a devastating fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at PIMS Hospital on Wednesday morning, killing 14 newborn babies.