HEALTH
![CM Maryam Nawaz Takes Action Following Infant Deaths Due to Hospital Fire](https://4thpillarpost.com/uploads/news/1506202416474718.jpg)
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of Punjab visited Sahiwal’s teaching hospital to address the aftermath of a tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of 11 infants in the pediatric ward. The fire, caused by a short circuit in the air-conditioning system, led to chaotic scenes as newborns were hastily relocated to the emergency ward amid malfunctioning fire equipment.
During her visit, CM Maryam Nawaz reviewed findings from multiple inquiries, including CCTV footage and mobile phone videos, which contradicted the hospital administration’s initial reports of the incident being under control. Expressing dismay over expired fire extinguishers and non-functional safety equipment, she criticized the hospital administration for neglecting warnings to replace them.
The CM’s scrutiny revealed that standard operating procedures were not followed during the infants’ relocation, contributing to their tragic deaths due to inadequate medical attention in other wards. Dismissing the hospital’s reports as inaccurate and unacceptable, CM Maryam Nawaz held senior administrators and doctors accountable for the negligence that led to these fatalities.
Following her directives, Sahiwal DPO Faisal Shahzad moved to arrest four senior doctors, including the Medical Superintendent and the Principal of Sahiwal Medical College. The attempt to apprehend the doctors resulted in a confrontation between police, hospital staff, and paramedics, leading to injuries among medical personnel and subsequent protests.
The Young Doctors Association (YDA) condemned the arrests and staged protests, disrupting hospital services across Punjab until the detained doctors were released. This standoff prompted negotiations between DPO Faisal Shahzad and the senior doctors, eventually resulting in the release of all detained medical personnel.
In response to the escalating situation, CM Maryam Nawaz met with parents of the deceased infants, distributing compensation cheques and inquiring about their well-being. She emphasized the need for accountability and pledged to ensure such incidents do not recur in Punjab’s healthcare facilities.