Hospital Fire Safety: A preventable tragedy demands urgent action

Abstract

This letter highlights critical gaps in hospital fire safety following a devastating neonatal nursery fire in Islamabad. It emphasizes the heightened vulnerability of critical care areas and calls for mandatory fire-safety audits, automated detection and suppression systems, clearly defined evacuation protocols, regular staff training, and continuous quality improvement. The letter advocates a proactive and accountable approach to fire prevention to protect patients, healthcare professionals, and institutions from preventable tragedies.