A fire broke out in the operation theater of Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan. The incident forced authorities to evacuate patients from the affected area.
Fire brigade officials said the blaze was apparently caused by an electrical short circuit. Smoke quickly spread through parts of the hospital after the fire started. The situation caused concern among patients, attendants and hospital staff.
Rescue teams responded quickly after receiving information about the fire. Officials said the teams reached the hospital within two minutes. They immediately launched an operation to control the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.
The blaze was brought under control within around 10 minutes. Rescue officials continued to monitor the affected area after extinguishing the fire. The quick response helped prevent the situation from becoming more serious.
No casualties have been reported so far. Authorities have not reported any deaths or injuries related to the incident. Further details are expected after the completion of the investigation.
Rahim Yar Khan Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Anwar Jappa took notice of the incident. He sought an immediate report from the relevant authorities regarding the fire.
The deputy commissioner also directed the Assistant Commissioner to visit the hospital. The official was asked to assess the situation and coordinate with the concerned departments.
The district administration said the cause of the fire is being reviewed. Officials are also examining the hospital’s existing fire safety arrangements. Hospital authorities have been directed to submit a detailed report on the incident.
A comprehensive investigation will determine the exact cause of the blaze. Authorities will also assess whether all required fire safety measures were properly in place.
The incident has again raised concerns about emergency preparedness at public healthcare facilities. Hospitals handle large numbers of patients every day. A fire can create serious risks, especially in sensitive areas such as operation theaters.
The Rahim Yar Khan incident comes amid recent reports of fires at major healthcare facilities. Similar incidents have been reported at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad and General Hospital in Lahore.
These incidents have renewed calls for stronger fire prevention systems at public hospitals. Regular inspections, functional firefighting equipment and emergency drills can help reduce risks.
Authorities are now expected to review the safety arrangements at Shaikh Zayed Hospital. The investigation will determine whether any safety gaps contributed to the incident and whether additional measures are required.
Also read: PM Shehbaz Orders Immediate Improvements at PIMS Hospital
