Urdu Report Editorial Team
ISLAMABAD: A significant development has emerged in the investigation into the deaths of newborn babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), as the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health was informed that more than 50 babies were present in the nursery at the time of the incident.
During a visit to PIMS, members of the Standing Committee on Health were briefed about the incident and questioned the hospital administration regarding the reported deaths and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Officials told the committee that between 40 and 50, and possibly more than 50, newborn babies were present in the nursery at the time.
Dr Shazia Soomro Raises Questions
Committee member Dr Shazia Soomro, while speaking on Hamid Mir’s programme, revealed that the committee did not receive satisfactory answers to several of its questions during the visit to PIMS.
Dr Soomro said that the figure of 15 babies was related only to the identification process and that there were more than 40 and 50 babies in the nursery at the time of the incident.
She said the committee would include these facts and the questions raised during its visit in its report.
Background of the PIMS Nursery Incident
Earlier, reports had emerged that 14 newborn babies had died following an incident in the PIMS nursery, creating concern and prompting authorities to look into the matter.
The incident also raised questions regarding the availability of oxygen, the circumstances inside the nursery and the response of the hospital administration.
The earlier report on the alleged deaths of newborn babies can be read here: PIMS nursery fire and reported deaths of newborn babies
Committee Seeks Clear Answers
Following the committee’s visit, questions surrounding the actual number of deaths and the circumstances of the incident have become more serious.
The committee has sought details from the hospital administration regarding the nursery, the number of babies present at the time of the incident and the official record concerning the reported deaths.
Dr Shazia Soomro said the answers provided by the PIMS administration were not satisfactory, indicating that further investigation would be required to establish the complete facts.
The final findings of the Standing Committee are expected to provide greater clarity regarding what happened at the PIMS nursery and whether any negligence or administrative failure contributed to the incident.
