Fire Safety Concerns Raised at DIKhan DHQ Hospital Children’s Wards
Dera Ismail Khan, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2026) Serious concerns have been raised over inadequate fire safety arrangements at the children’s wards and neonatal nursery of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Dera Ismail Khan. Limited availability of fire extinguishers and lack of emergency preparedness drills could pose a significant risk to children, newborns, attendants, and healthcare workers in case of a fire emergency.
President Young Doctors Association (YDA), Dera Ismail Khan, Dr Ashraf expressed his concern:
He stated that the existing fire safety arrangements in the children’s wards were insufficient and required immediate attention from the hospital administration. He noted that only one fire extinguisher had been provided for three children’s wards at the DHQ Hospital, while the neonatal nursery had a single fire extinguisher as well, which he deemed inadequate given the sensitivity and vulnerability of the patients.
Dr Ashraf emphasized the importance of comprehensive fire prevention, detection, and response arrangements in such wards, considering that children, particularly newborns, cannot evacuate independently during emergencies.
He also demanded:
- Centralized and safely located oxygen supply systems at the hospital to minimize potential fire risks.
- Regular fire emergency mock drills to train and prepare doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and other employees for emergency situations.
Dr Ashraf highlighted that despite repeated notifications to the hospital administration about these deficiencies, corrective measures had not been effectively implemented so far.
He stressed the need for:
- An immediate comprehensive review of fire safety arrangements in children’s wards, neonatal nursery, and other sensitive sections.
- Installation of an adequate number of properly maintained fire extinguishers.
- Establishment of an effective fire safety and emergency response system.
- Centralized oxygen supply arrangements and regular fire safety inspections and mock drills.
Dr Ashraf concluded by emphasizing that preventive measures should be taken before any untoward incident occurs, prioritizing the safety of patients, attendants, and healthcare workers. He urged the hospital administration to take immediate practical steps to address these reported deficiencies.