Lahore: Order has been issued to build fire hydrants around all major public hospitals in Punjab. According to housing department Punjab spokesperson order has been issued to build fire hydrants around all major hospitals in Punjab. A list of 57 hospitals has been worked out in the first phase.

The spokesperson said WASA has been assigned the task of identifying important places and constructing fire hydrants. Punjab Health Care commission has issued a circular to all government and private hospitals in all over the province in this regard. Through circular all the government and private hospitals have been directed to ensure implementation of fire safety measures. Implementation of fire safety laws, rules and regulations and standard be ensured in hospitals. All the hospital should ensure implementation of directives related to family management and infection control.

Availability of fire fighting equipments, emergency routes, maps and fitness certificate of building be ensured Punjab Emergency Services Department should complete fire safety inspections of government and private hospitals besides providing to PHC the details of the hospitals found involved in violating fire safety rules. It is pertinent to mention here 14 newborns died in a fire at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).