NICH Nursery Fire: Video Exposes Ongoing Hazards for Newborns

Just weeks after the devastating Pamz Hospital nursery fire claimed 11 newborn lives, shocking video evidence has emerged from the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) in Karachi, showing a man wielding a lighter inside its neonatal ward. This incident, captured on September 15th, raises grave concerns about persistent safety lapses in Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure.

The Video: A Chilling Déjà Vu

The 47-second clip, obtained by The Express News, shows a man in civilian clothing calmly walking through the NICH nursery with a lit lighter in hand. Newborns lie just meters away in incubators, oblivious to the danger. Hospital staff appear unaware of the man’s actions, raising questions about surveillance and access control protocols.

This incident eerily mirrors the circumstances leading to the Pamz Hospital tragedy, where an electrical short circuit ignited flammable materials stored near incubators. The NICH video suggests that lessons from that disaster have yet to be fully absorbed.

Systemic Failures: A Pattern of Neglect

The NICH incident is not an isolated case. A 2023 report by the Sindh Healthcare Commission identified critical fire safety violations in 78% of inspected public hospitals. These included non-functional fire alarms, blocked emergency exits, and inadequate staff training.

Dr. Sara Qureshi, a pediatrician at Jinnah Hospital, states, We’ve been warning about these risks for years. Until we address the root causes—chronic underfunding, poor oversight, and a culture of impunity—such incidents will keep happening.

The financial allocation for healthcare in Pakistan stands at just 1.2% of GDP, far below the WHO-recommended 5%. This funding gap translates into crumbling infrastructure, outdated equipment, and overworked staff—a deadly combination for vulnerable patients.

Human Cost: Beyond the Headlines

For families like that of two-day-old Zara, who perished in the Pamz fire, these failures are not statistics but devastating realities. Zara’s mother, Amina, recalls, They told me she was stable, then suddenly everything was smoke and screams. I couldn’t even hold her one last time.

The NICH video compounds this trauma, showing that even after a national outcry, basic safeguards remain absent. Pediatric nurse Mariam Khan notes, Parents entrust us with their most precious beings. How can we justify putting them in harm’s way through sheer negligence?

This latest incident connects to broader trends: Pakistan’s neonatal mortality rate, at 42 per 1,000 live births, is among the highest globally. While some attribute this to poverty and malnutrition, experts argue that preventable hospital disasters exacerbate the crisis.

The Path Forward: Demands for Accountability

In the wake of the Pamz tragedy, the Sindh government announced a PKR 500 million upgrade for hospital fire safety systems. However, implementation has been slow, with only 30% of funds disbursed as of September 2026.

Civil society groups are now demanding independent investigations into both incidents. We need more than promises and patchwork fixes, says activist Fatima Baloch. We need systemic reforms, starting with holding those responsible accountable—from hospital administrators to policy makers.

Until then, Pakistan’s newborns remain at the mercy of a system where danger lurks even in the places meant to protect them most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific safety violations were found in Sindh hospitals?

A 2023 report identified non-functional fire alarms, blocked emergency exits, and inadequate staff training in 78% of inspected facilities.

How does Pakistan’s healthcare funding compare globally?

Pakistan allocates just 1.2% of GDP to healthcare, significantly below the WHO-recommended 5%, impacting infrastructure and safety.

What immediate actions are activists demanding after the NICH incident?

Civil society groups are calling for independent investigations and systemic reforms, including accountability for hospital and policy failures.