Mustafa Kamal offers himself for accountability over PIMS tragedy

ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said that there was still no explanation for the deaths of 14 newborns at PIMS, stressing that those responsible would not be spared.

Speaking in the Senate, the minister said, “I am the health minister, I am responsible, and I have presented myself for accountability.”

Mustafa Kamal said he had no objection to the formation of an inquiry committee, but cautioned that a 40-day inquiry would not be enough to address the issue effectively.



“Who is saying that the situation in Pakistan is ideal?” he questioned, highlighting the broader challenges facing the country’s healthcare system.

The minister said around 400,000 children aged between one and five die in Pakistan every year, adding that approximately 1,300 children die every day, many of whose lives could be saved through timely and effective healthcare.

Read more: PIMS fire: Initial report expected by evening, Tarar says

He further said around 1,100 women die every year in Pakistan during childbirth.

“Let us treat the PIMS incident as a test and ensure that we save the next child from dying,” Mustafa Kamal said.

The health minister assured the House that if any shortcomings were found in the inquiry report, he would be willing to face a fresh investigation.

“I also assure you that no one responsible will be spared,” he said.

It is to be noted that fourteen infants were killed on Wednesday morning in a fire at the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad’s premier public hospital.

Following the incident, the premier sacked federal health secretary and formed a committee to probe the matter.