KARACHI: Following the tragic fire incident at Islamabad’s PIMS Hospital that claimed the lives of 14 children, Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has significantly ramped up its safety protocols, placing staff on high alert and reviewing fire-fighting arrangements.
As a high-volume healthcare hub, Jinnah Hospital caters to an immense patient load, handling over 2,000 emergency cases and 10,000 OPD visits daily within a massive 2,200-bed facility serving Karachi’s population of over 30 million. While public hospitals lack dedicated internal fire departments, JPMC is equipped with fire extinguishers across all wards, nursery units, and emergency departments, alongside clearly marked emergency evacuation routes. For major fire emergencies, the hospital relies on coordinated responses from the KMC Fire Brigade and Rescue 1122, highlighting a growing recommendation for dedicated fire tenders and control rooms within large public healthcare facilities. In terms of proactive measures, following a comprehensive safety drill two months ago, the administration—under the supervision of officer Yousuf Bhatti—conducted a fresh fire-fighting mock exercise. Meanwhile, the Sindh Health Department is taking further steps to upgrade safety infrastructure across provincial hospitals.
