PIMS Hospital Islamabad has stopped accepting new maternity cases following a tragic fire that severely affected its children’s nursery and reduced the facility’s operational capacity.

The decision was confirmed by PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar, who said the hospital could no longer admit patients beyond the number it could safely accommodate. The move comes as the hospital manages reduced capacity and works on arrangements to safely continue healthcare services.

15 Nursery Beds Destroyed

The fire caused significant damage to the children’s nursery at PIMS. According to hospital officials, the nursery had a total capacity of 50 beds, of which 15 were destroyed in the fire.

This has left approximately 35 beds operational, substantially reducing the hospital’s ability to accommodate patients.

With the facility operating under reduced capacity, hospital authorities have decided to stop accepting new maternity cases for the time being.

Patients May Be Referred to Other Hospitals

Authorities said children and other patients may be referred to hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi whenever necessary.

The referral arrangement is intended to prevent the hospital from becoming overcrowded and ensure that patients can receive treatment at facilities with sufficient capacity.

For families seeking maternity and pediatric care, the change may mean being directed to alternative hospitals depending on available beds and medical requirements.

Focus on Patient Safety

Hospital officials have emphasized the need to avoid admitting more patients than the facility can safely accommodate.

The latest decision reflects the challenges facing PIMS as it attempts to maintain essential healthcare services following the fire. Reduced bed capacity can place additional pressure on remaining wards and medical staff, making careful patient management particularly important.

The situation also highlights the importance of adequate emergency preparedness, fire-safety systems and contingency arrangements in major public hospitals.

Recovery and Restoration Efforts

PIMS is expected to continue working on arrangements to restore affected facilities and manage its services safely.

Until adequate capacity is restored, authorities may need to coordinate closely with other hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to ensure patients can be accommodated without unnecessary delays.

The impact of the fire extends beyond the damaged nursery itself, as the reduction in available beds can affect maternity, pediatric and other hospital services.

Broader Concerns After the PIMS Fire

The latest development comes amid wider scrutiny of hospital safety and emergency preparedness following the devastating PIMS nursery fire.

The incident has raised questions about fire prevention, emergency response, evacuation procedures and the ability of healthcare facilities to protect vulnerable patients during emergencies.

As investigations and recovery efforts continue, ensuring the safety of patients and staff remains a key concern.

What This Means for Patients

For people planning to seek maternity or pediatric services at PIMS, it is important to confirm the hospital’s current admission arrangements before visiting.

Patients who cannot be accommodated may be directed toward other healthcare facilities in Islamabad or Rawalpindi depending on availability and their medical needs.

The situation may change as PIMS restores damaged capacity and authorities implement additional safety measures.

Conclusion

PIMS Islamabad’s decision to stop accepting new maternity cases reflects the immediate challenges created by the nursery fire and the resulting reduction in available beds.

With 15 of the nursery’s 50 beds reportedly destroyed, the hospital is operating with reduced capacity and may rely on referrals to other hospitals to ensure patients receive appropriate care.

As recovery efforts continue, restoring safe capacity while strengthening emergency preparedness will remain crucial for PIMS and other major public healthcare facilities.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and journalistic purposes and is based on publicly available reports. Details may change as hospital authorities release further updates.