Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an urgent overhaul of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
He directed authorities to implement short-term remedial and fire safety measures within three months.
The measures must follow international safety standards, the prime minister said during a meeting on Wednesday.
PIMS Fire Inquiry Findings Reviewed
The meeting reviewed the inquiry report into the PIMS nursery fire that killed 14 newborns.
The report identified an electrical fault in an air conditioner supply cable as the most probable cause.
It also described the tragedy as the result of systematic and institutional failures.
According to the report, the fire became visible at around 6:38am.
Dense smoke reportedly filled the nursery within one to two minutes.
The inquiry noted that this left an exceptionally short window for rescue efforts.
The emergency was reported to the Capital Emergency Service at 6:54am.
The 16-minute delay was highlighted as a major concern in the inquiry.
PM Orders Immediate Safety Measures
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed officials to implement all short-term recommendations from the inquiry report within three months.
He also called for stronger fire safety systems across PIMS.
The prime minister suggested seeking technical assistance and recommendations from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI).
He also directed officials to implement relevant recommendations from the World Health Organization report.
The government will also consider short, medium and long-term measures to improve PIMS.
The prime minister ordered officials to ensure medicines and other essential facilities are provided completely free of charge to deserving patients.
He also called for deploying qualified and experienced human resources at the hospital.
PIMS Audit Shows Major Compliance Gap
The meeting also reviewed a performance audit conducted by the Ministry of National Health Services.
Officials informed the meeting that PIMS achieved only 39.7% compliance across the indicators examined.
The acceptable target was 90%.
Authorities are now working to implement 37 measures identified in the inquiry report.
The measures cover immediate improvements as well as medium and long-term reforms.
Polyclinic and Islamabad Hospitals to Face Safety Audits
Prime Minister Shehbaz also ordered an audit of the Polyclinic hospital.
The audit will identify irregularities and help prepare a restructuring plan.
He directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure fire safety measures are implemented in all government and private hospitals in Islamabad.
The CDA and other relevant institutions were also instructed to conduct fire safety audits of government and private buildings.
The prime minister said safety measures must be implemented after the audits.
The government aims to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve safety standards across major healthcare facilities in the capital.
