Pakistani nurse haunted by inability to save 14 infants in hospital fire

A healthcare worker at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad is grappling with the psychological aftermath of a catastrophic fire that swept through the hospital's nursery ward, killing 14 newborns while she managed to evacuate only one.

The nurse's account underscores the scale of the tragedy and the harrowing conditions faced by medical staff during the emergency. Her efforts to save the infants were limited by the rapid spread of flames and the constraints of the chaotic evacuation, leaving her with profound regret over those she could not reach.

The incident has raised serious questions about fire safety protocols and emergency preparedness at the medical facility. Investigators are examining whether adequate safeguards were in place to protect the vulnerable patient population housed in the nursery.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Pakistan's healthcare community and sparked broader discussions about institutional safety standards in hospitals across the country. Officials have pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of emergency procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.