A couple of days ago, newborn babies burned to death in the nursery of PIMS. Let that sentence sink in. These were not patients who died after a long illness. They were newborns. They had barely entered this world. Fourteen have been reported dead, with only one baby rescued from the nursery. The fire reportedly started around 7am, apparently after an electrical or air-conditioning fault and, as always, there will be an inquiry. There will be statements. There will be suspensions. There will be arrests perhaps. Someone will be declared responsible. We will express outrage for a few days and then move on.

This is not an isolated accident. In Sahiwal, a hospital fire in 2024 killed infants in a pediatric ward. The fire was again linked to an air-conditioning electrical fault. There were reports of inadequate firefighting arrangements and desperate attempts to evacuate children through........

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