A mandatory training program for house officers in medical and dental colleges has been implemented by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) in response to a recent fire incident at Pims that killed 14 newborn babies. The program aims to raise fire safety awareness and preparedness among doctors, patients, students, and staff. The program will include regular fire drills, evacuation exercises, and training on identifying fire hazards, using extinguishers, and communicating emergencies effectively. According to PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, the goal is to establish a culture of preparedness and prompt response in medical institutions.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
After a devastating fire at Pims on August 26 that killed 14 newborn babies**, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has made fire safety drills mandatory for house officers in all medical and dental colleges. This decision was taken after a review of existing fire safety protocols, which revealed areas that needed improvement. The goal is to increase awareness and preparedness for fires in healthcare institutions, ensuring the safety not only of patients but also of doctors, students, staff, and others. Under the new program, house officers will undergo training on how to safely evacuate patients in case of a fire and follow proper evacuation procedures. This measure aims to address the gaps in fire safety education and awareness, with the PMDC committed to quickly implementing improvements. The decision was made by Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, the PMDC president, who emphasized that fire safety training will be incorporated into house officers' duties.
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After the Aug 26 incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in which 14 newborn babies died amid a fire eruption, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to implement a training programme for house officers in all medical and dental colleges.
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Council → die → colleges
The programme aims to raise fire safety awareness and preparedness, as well as to ensure the safety and well-being of doctors, patients, students and staff in healthcare institutions.
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programme → aim → institutions
Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, the PMDC president, stressed that the decision to implement a mandatory programme on fire safety for house officers will be incorporated into their house job.
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decision → stress → job
Drills will be conducted to teach participants about methods to ensure safety of patients in the event of a fire emergency and evacuation procedures to be followed.
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Drills → conduct → emergency
According to a statement, the decision follows a review of the existing fire safety protocols and the identification of areas that need improvement.
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that → accord → improvement
“The PMDC recognises that there is a need to strengthen fire safety education and awareness in institutions under its regulatory umbrella.
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PMDC → recognise → umbrella
The PMDC is committed to quickly addressing the gaps and improving fire emergency preparedness among students, healthcare professionals, patients, and staff.
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PMDC → commit → students
“All medical colleges and teaching hospitals will have to ensure vigorous fire safety arrangements and effective emergency preparedness for the protection of students, house officers, patients, healthcare professionals and other staff,” Dr Taj said.
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Taj → have → students
Improvement is also needed in the quality of hospital care for “the most vulnerable people” who depend on healthcare staff, he added.
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he → need → staff
Dr Taj expressed interest in expanding the training programme to medical students and postgraduates, and eventually to all healthcare professionals.
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Taj → express → professionals
He outlined some of the measures that would be covered by the fire safety programme for house officers.
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that → outline → officers
The programme will include regular fire safety drills and evacuation exercises, to be conducted in medical colleges and teaching hospitals so that a culture of preparedness and prompt response was established.
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culture → include → preparedness
House officers will be trained to identify fire hazards, use extinguishers, follow evacuation routes, and communicate emergencies effectively.
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officers → train → emergencies
