ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week directed the country’s top health officials to supervise improvement measures at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where a deadly fire killed at least 14 newborns last month.

Fire engulfed a nursery located on the third floor of PIMS, one of Pakistan’s largest public hospitals, on Wednesday morning in Islamabad. The blaze killed 14 newborns, with hospital staff managing to rescue just one baby from the fire. While the source of the fire remains unknown, the blaze raised questions about the state of fire emergency and response measures in place in Pakistan’s leading public hospitals, including PIMS.

Sharif last week suspended eight officials and ordered criminal proceedings against them after an inquiry committee found serious safety and emergency response failures at PIMS. The Pakistani prime minister held an emergency meeting with Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and other officials on Wednesday to seek updates about reforms at the hospital after his return from Kyrgyzstan.

“The prime minister said no leniency would be shown toward the officials found guilty of criminal negligence,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. “He also ordered authorities to ensure improvement in health care and treatment facilities at PIMS and to strictly implement all necessary safety measures.”

Sharif directed Kamal and the health secretary to ensure their presence at PIMS on alternate days and oversee the implementation of measures to improve the hospital under their supervision, Radio Pakistan added.

“The meeting was informed that implementation of the prime minister’s decisions in light of the findings of the interim investigation report is being ensured,” the state media said.

The premier also directed authorities to expedite the process of reforms in the health sector.

The fire inquiry report, issued by a committee formed by Sharif, found that PIMS did not have any detailed procedures or training for fires and other emergencies. The Prime Minister’s Office said the findings revealed that the neonatal ward had neither fire alarms nor sprinklers, adding that it was operating in violation of all relevant World Health Organization safety rules.

The committee’s findings also revealed that emergency services were not called until six minutes after the fire started, with the first response arriving another 15 minutes later. Sharif, Kamal and other government ministers have vowed that those found guilty of negligence will not be spared.