PMDC launches fire safety education, training programme

ISLAMABAD: Following a recent tragic fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where 14 newborn babies were killed, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to implement a fire safety education and training programme for house officers in all medical and dental colleges. The PMDC announced this here on Saturday after close deliberations with the relevant stakeholders involved in the health sector. This decision will enhance fire safety awareness and preparedness and ensure the safety and well-being of doctors, patients, students and staff in healthcare institutions. All medical colleges and teaching hospitals will have to ensure vigorous fire safety arrangements and effective emergency preparedness for the protection of students, house officers, patients, healthcare professionals and other staff. President PMDC Professor Dr Rizwan Taj stressed that the decision to implement a mandatory fire safety training programme for house officers will be incorporated into their house job. Dedicated training hours will be allocated to cover fire safety awareness, emergency fire drills, patient safety, and appropriate evacuation procedures to be followed in the event of a fire emergency. This decision will follow a comprehensive review of the existing fire safety protocols and the identification of areas that need improvement. PMDC recognises that there is a need to strengthen fire safety education and awareness in institutions under its regulatory umbrella. PMDC is committed to quickly addressing the gaps and improving fire-emergency preparedness among students, healthcare professionals, patients, and staff. He highlighted that hospitals care for some of the most vulnerable people, who depend on healthcare staff to respond quickly and effectively during a fire emergency. He therefore stressed the need for medical institutions to improve their existing fire prevention and emergency response measures. President Prof. Dr Rizwan Taj expressed his interest in expanding this training programme to medical students and postgraduates and eventually all healthcare professionals, as this is considered an essential skill for healthcare workers across the globe. PMDC intends to promote the safest and highest-quality learning environments and looks forward to establishing new protocols that focus on emergency preparedness rather than relying solely on emergency response teams. The PMDC has outlined some of the measures that would be covered by the fire safety programme for medical house officers. The programme will include regular fire safety drills and evacuation exercises to be conducted in medical colleges and teaching hospitals so that a culture of preparedness and prompt and effective response is established. House officers will also be trained to identify fire hazards, use extinguishers, follow evacuation routes, and communicate emergencies effectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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