52 Children Lost in Public Hospital Incidents: Report
A compiled report claims 52 children, including 39 newborns, died in a series of incidents at public hospitals across Pakistan over the past eight years, with the latest PIMS nursery fire in Islamabad adding 14 newborns to the reported toll.
ISLAMABAD: The deaths of 14 newborn babies in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have renewed scrutiny of safety standards and emergency preparedness at public hospitals, as a compiled report claims that at least 52 children have died in various hospital-related incidents across Pakistan during the past eight years.
Report Cites 52 Hospital-Related Deaths
According to the report shared with Islamabad Tribune, 39 of the 52 children were newborns. The compilation attributes the deaths to a range of incidents, including interruptions in oxygen supply, alleged delays or deficiencies in medical care, alleged medication errors, unsafe infrastructure and fire.
However, an independent review by Islamabad Tribune found that the individual cases and figures provided in the compilation require further reconciliation, as the listed incidents do not currently add up to the stated overall toll of 52. Some causes were also allegations at the time of the respective incidents rather than final findings of official inquiries.
Oxygen Failure Linked to Newborn Deaths in Fort Abbas
Among the documented cases, three newborn babies died at THQ Hospital Fort Abbas in September 2021 after their oxygen supply was interrupted amid an electricity problem. Contemporary reporting said an inquiry was launched, while a subsequent report said an assistant commissioner’s inquiry held a senior medical officer responsible for negligence.
20 Children Died at Pakpattan Hospital
Another major episode emerged at DHQ Hospital Pakpattan in June 2025, where 20 children died between June 16 and June 22. Fifteen of those who died were reported to be neonates or newborns.
Families alleged negligence and shortages in oxygen supply, but an initial internal inquiry attributed the deaths to medical causes, prompting further investigation. An external committee was subsequently constituted to examine the reported oxygen issue and the hospital’s emergency response.
The Pakpattan episode eventually led to administrative and legal action. In July 2025, the hospital’s medical superintendent and the district health chief executive officer were taken into custody on the Punjab chief minister’s orders amid allegations of negligence and concealment of facts.
Uncovered Manhole Killed Child at Lahore Hospital
In November 2024, a three-year-old boy died after falling into an uncovered manhole on the premises of Children’s Hospital Lahore. The hospital subsequently conducted an inquiry, while Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz sought a report and described an uncovered manhole at a hospital as serious negligence.
Older Cases Require Further Verification
The compilation also lists earlier incidents at government hospitals in Narowal, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Sahiwal, Vehari, Peshawar, Taxila and other cities, involving allegations ranging from unavailable oxygen and delayed treatment to medication-related incidents.
Because several of these older cases could not immediately be independently verified in sufficient detail, their stated causes should be treated as claims attributed to the compiled report unless supported by final official findings.
PIMS Nursery Fire Claims 14 Newborn Lives
The latest and one of the deadliest incidents occurred at PIMS Islamabad on August 26, 2026, when a fire broke out in the nursery on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health facility. Fourteen newborn babies died, while one baby was rescued, according to hospital and administration accounts reported by multiple news organisations.
Cause of PIMS Fire Remains Under Investigation
Initial accounts of the exact cause have differed. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal initially referred to an air-conditioner-related incident, while PIMS Executive Director Imran Sikandar later told Arab News that an electrical short circuit caused the fire.
Authorities have ordered an investigation, meaning the definitive cause and responsibility remain subject to the inquiry.
Hospital Safety Back Under Public Scrutiny
The PIMS incident has now placed hospital fire preparedness, neonatal-unit safety, oxygen systems, emergency exits, equipment maintenance and administrative accountability back at the centre of public debate.
Taken together, the incidents cited in the compilation point to recurring concerns over the safety environment surrounding some of the country’s most vulnerable patients. At the same time, establishing a definitive nationwide eight-year death toll will require verification against hospital records, official inquiry reports and provincial health department data rather than relying solely on a compilation of reported incidents.
