KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has directed health authorities to strengthen fire safety arrangements across hospitals in the province, including the repair of old electrical wiring and installation of new wiring wherever required, following the tragic fire incident at PIMS Islamabad that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.
Expressing deep sorrow over the PIMS tragedy, the health minister conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for patience and strength for the parents who lost their children.
Dr Pechuho said important meetings were underway to review measures aimed at preventing fire incidents in hospitals and ensuring the safety of patients, attendants and healthcare workers.
She said every possible step would be taken to prevent such tragedies in Sindh's healthcare facilities, with particular attention to electrical infrastructure and other potential fire hazards. The minister is also scheduled to address an important press conference at her office on Friday.
The health minister made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Health Reporters Association (HRA), led by its President Akhtar Shaheen Rind, at the Sindh Secretariat.
During the meeting, the HRA delegation raised issues concerning access to authentic and timely health information, coordination between journalists and public healthcare institutions, and professional capacity building of reporters covering the health sector.
Responding to the HRA's requests, Dr Pechuho agreed to nominate a media focal person to facilitate timely coordination and flow of information between the Sindh Health Department and health reporters. She also assured the delegation that hospital administrations would be directed to facilitate smooth professional coordination with health journalists in the performance of their duties.
The minister also accepted the HRA's request for institutional coordination with the association to organise capacity-building workshops, orientation programmes and professional sessions for health reporters. The proposed initiative is aimed at improving journalists' understanding of complex public health issues and strengthening accurate and responsible health reporting.
Dr Pechuho further accepted the association's invitation to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected HRA body as chief guest and assured the delegation that she would administer the oath to the office-bearers at a ceremony to be organised soon.
The health minister appreciated the services of health reporters and said journalists specialising in the health sector played an important role in ensuring that credible and accurate health information reached the public. She assured the delegation of her cooperation in addressing issues faced by the association and strengthening engagement between the Health Department and health journalists.
HRA President Akhtar Shaheen Rind welcomed the minister's instructions to strengthen hospital fire safety and said the PIMS tragedy should serve as a serious reminder for health authorities across the country to reassess safety preparedness in healthcare institutions.
Rind stressed that hospital safety should be treated as a continuous institutional responsibility rather than receiving attention only after a tragedy. He emphasised the importance of regular fire safety audits, inspection and replacement of ageing electrical systems, functional firefighting equipment, emergency response and evacuation arrangements, and clear accountability mechanisms.
He said the commitments made by the health minister regarding a designated media focal person, improved coordination at public hospitals and professional capacity-building activities would help bridge communication gaps between health institutions and specialised journalists.
Rind said timely access to verified information was essential for responsible health journalism, particularly during emergencies and public health crises, and could help prevent misinformation while enabling journalists to raise genuine issues affecting patients and the healthcare system.
The HRA delegation thanked Dr Pechuho for meeting the association, listening to its proposals and agreeing to measures aimed at improving institutional coordination with health reporters.
The delegation included HRA General Secretary Imran Pirzada, Joint Secretary Shaheen Siddiqui, Finance Secretary Ibrahim Rind, Information Secretary Kanwal Jatoi and Deputy Information Secretary Naila Nizam.
Executive Committee members Abid Khan, Wasim Hashmi, Rizwan Jalali and Shahid Sehto also attended the meeting.
