ISLAMABAD, June 13: The installation of a number of split air conditioners in the physicians’ rooms of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has increased the load on electrical wires manifold making them vulnerable to short circuit that may lead to inferno, Dawn has learnt reliably.
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of Pims has been out of order for the last five years.
“The risk of electric short circuit is high while the fire safety measures are weak,” an administration official told Dawn.
He said recently the administration had taken steps to avert fire incidents but still the risk of short circuit was high.
It is pertinent to mention that Pims management has asked all the departmental heads to submit a report regarding fire safety measures they had taken.
“Each department has been asked to give details of fire extinguishers available with them,” said the administration official.
The steps have been taken against the backdrop of fire at the Services Hospital in Lahore that killed six infants.
A physician on condition of anonymity said as the HVAC is out of order, they have no alternative but to install split air conditioners. “It is very difficult for us to work in hot and humid atmosphere,” asserted the physician.
He maintained that the responsibility of fire safety measures rested with the management of the hospital.
During a visit to the hospital a number of emergency exits were either found closed or being used as store or tea areas.
When approached, the Pims executive director Prof Mehmood Jamal admitted that a few emergency exits were closed but assured that they would soon be opened.
Regarding the installation of the split air conditioners in almost every room of physicians in the hospital, he said: “We have written a letter to the Public Works Department to prepare a PC-I for fixing the HVAC.”
He claimed that Pims management had run a number of fire drills in the recent past and “I will arrange another fire drill in next few weeks time to increase the preparedness of the hospital staff for fire related incidents.”
