Urdu Report Desk
The only newborn rescued alive from the nursery fire at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has died after remaining in critical condition for several weeks.
Hospital sources said the newborn died late Wednesday night while receiving treatment at PIMS Children’s Hospital. The infant had been kept in the intensive care unit on ventilator support due to complications caused by smoke inhalation.
August 26 Nursery Fire
The fire broke out on August 26 in the newborn nursery of PIMS’ Mother and Child Hospital. There were 15 newborns in the nursery at the time, 14 of whom died in the blaze, while one was rescued alive.
Nurse Rescued the Newborn
Nurse Razia Noreen entered the smoke-filled nursery and safely brought the newborn out. Her actions during the emergency were widely praised across the country, with both the public and government recognizing her courage.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Noreen said her only priority at the time was to save the babies trapped inside the nursery. She said she managed to bring the newborn to safety within eight seconds.
Noreen said she did not consider herself a hero and was simply fulfilling her responsibility as a nurse and a mother.
National Recognition for Razia Noreen
Razia Noreen’s bravery was later recognized at the national level. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the Sitara-i-Khidmat for her and awarded her Rs. 10 million in cash in recognition of her courage and dedication.
President Asif Ali Zardari also approved the conferment of the Tamgha-i-Shujaat on Razia Noreen for risking her life to rescue the newborn from the fire.
