LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered a comprehensive review of fire safety arrangements at government hospitals across the province amid concerns about emergency preparedness at healthcare facilities.
The chief minister has directed officials to submit detailed reports on fire safety measures at hospitals across all districts by August 27. Authorities have also been instructed to inspect emergency exit routes and ensure that patients, hospital staff and rescue teams can access them quickly during an emergency.
Maryam Nawaz directed officials to coordinate with rescue teams during inspections of emergency exits and assess whether evacuation routes are clear, functional and easily accessible.
She also ordered authorities to complete the installation of fire hydrants at hospitals within seven days.
🚒 Fire Hydrants Planned for 57 Government Hospitals
The Punjab government has decided to establish fire hydrants around major government hospitals across the province as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response capabilities.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, an initial list of 57 government hospitals has been prepared for the first phase of the initiative.
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) will identify suitable locations around the selected hospitals and oversee the installation of fire hydrants.
The new facilities are intended to provide rescue teams with quicker access to firefighting resources and improve their ability to respond to fires at healthcare facilities.
🏥 Focus on Hospital Emergency Preparedness
The latest directives place particular emphasis on maintaining clear emergency exits and ensuring that hospitals are adequately prepared to evacuate patients and staff during a fire or other emergency.
Healthcare facilities can present additional challenges during emergencies because many patients may have limited mobility or require assistance to leave the building. Ensuring accessible evacuation routes and readily available firefighting infrastructure is therefore an important part of hospital safety planning.
The Punjab government’s measures aim to strengthen fire prevention, emergency preparedness and response systems at public hospitals across the province.
