Swat: Deputy Commissioner Swat Saleem Jan Marwat on Thursday directed authorities to conduct comprehensive inspections of all public and private hospitals and medical centres in the district to ensure effective fire safety, emergency preparedness and protection of patients and medical staff.
He issued the directives while chairing a meeting convened in accordance with the provincial government’s instructions following the recent tragic incident at PIMS Islamabad.
The meeting reviewed fire detection and alarm systems, firefighting equipment, electrical wiring and installations, oxygen and medical gas systems, emergency exits, preparedness of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Intensive Care Units (ICU), backup power, staff training, emergency response mechanisms and mock drills at healthcare facilities across the district.
The deputy commissioner directed the relevant officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission to inspect all private hospitals and submit a comprehensive report within two days.
The Health Department was similarly directed to complete inspections of all public hospitals and government-run healthcare facilities within the same timeframe.
He stressed that inspections should not be confined to paperwork, and that immediate corrective measures must be taken to eliminate safety deficiencies, particularly those posing a direct threat to human lives.
The deputy commissioner ordered hospital administrations to keep firefighting equipment fully operational, remove unsafe electrical wiring and other hazards, ensure emergency exits remain accessible at all times, and adopt proper safety measures for oxygen cylinders and medical gas systems.
Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence were also directed to provide technical assistance to hospitals regarding fire safety, emergency evacuation procedures and mock drills.
Meanwhile, the District Health Officer has prepared a contingency plan to ensure effective coordination among relevant departments and a prompt response in case of any emergency.
Marwat directed all concerned departments and hospital administrations to make the safety of patients, attendants and healthcare workers their top priority, warning that serious safety lapses would require continuous follow-up and practical verification until fully addressed.
