Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said Saturday that fire and electrical safety measures would be ensured in hospitals at all costs, stressing that protecting the lives and property of patients and hospital staff remained the government’s top priority. He said no negligence, carelessness, or irresponsibility would be tolerated in implementing these measures.
The minister made the remarks while chairing a meeting at the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department focused on effective steps to prevent fire incidents in government teaching hospitals. The meeting carried out a detailed review of fire safety arrangements and emergency response mechanisms across hospitals in Punjab.
Directing strict action against negligence, Rafique said Rescue 1122 was providing regular training to hospital staff to handle emergency situations, and stressed that every individual, from senior officers down to staff at all levels, must receive proper training in emergency response and fire safety. He said an effective accountability system was being developed by clearly defining staff responsibilities within hospitals, alongside a zero-tolerance policy toward negligence and carelessness. He added that legal and disciplinary action would be taken against any officer or employee found failing to fulfil their assigned duties.
The minister directed Rescue 1122 teams to maintain close coordination with all hospitals to ensure comprehensive emergency plans, identify potential hazards, and guarantee the availability of necessary safety equipment at every healthcare facility. He also stressed that hospital administrations must ensure effective arrangements for handling both administrative matters and emergencies within their respective jurisdictions.
Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said steps were underway to strengthen the institutional framework of all hospitals through a comprehensive review of existing systems, with the installation of fire alarms and fire detection systems being carried out on an emergency basis across Punjab’s hospitals. Detailed inspections of electrical equipment, wiring, and related systems were also being conducted to identify and eliminate potential hazards.
Mahmood said a provincial-level task force had been formed to visit hospitals and ensure full implementation of all safety and precautionary measures. He directed chief executive officers, medical superintendents, and deputy medical superintendents at all hospitals to prepare evacuation and emergency response plans within 24 hours, in collaboration with Rescue 1122. The secretary added that dedicated safety officers had been appointed in every ward to ensure immediate response in the event of an emergency.
