Nurse Recalls Experience During Fatal Nursery Fire in Islamabad

Staff nurse Razia Noreen was on duty at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad when a fire broke out in the nursery on August 26, 2026. Noreen was preparing injections when she noticed a bright light through the nursery's glass panel. At 6:38 AM, she rushed into the nursery, emerging moments later with one newborn, the only survivor among the 15 infants present. The fire, which engulfed the room within seconds, is under investigation, with the cause not yet conclusively established. Noreen was later awarded by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for her bravery, but she continues to grapple with the trauma of the incident, reflecting on her inability to save the other 14 babies. She emphasized the need for proper fire drills and safety measures in hospitals to prevent such tragedies in the future. Noreen has spent 21 years in nursing, with 17 years at PIMS, and remains dedicated to her profession despite the emotional toll of the event. The surviving infant remains in critical condition in the neonatal intensive care unit, and Noreen has expressed her ongoing concern for the child's future.