The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to make fire safety training mandatory for house officers following the deaths of 14 children in a fire incident at PIMS Hospital.
According to PMDC President Professor Dr Rizwan Taj, the training will now become a compulsory part of house jobs. House officers at all medical and dental colleges will receive practical training in fire safety, emergency drills and the safe evacuation of patients.
He said regular fire safety drills would also be conducted at medical colleges and teaching hospitals to ensure effective responses to emergencies.
According to the PMDC, house officers will be trained to identify fire hazards and properly operate firefighting equipment during the training.
Dr Rizwan Taj said the safety of medical staff, patients and students would remain the top priority during emergencies, with efforts focused on developing the ability to respond quickly and effectively.
The council has also decided to conduct a comprehensive review of existing fire safety protocols at medical and dental colleges. The possibility of extending the training to postgraduate students in the future is also being considered.
The PMDC said priority would be given to preparedness rather than relying solely on emergency response teams, with the aim of ensuring a safe and high-quality educational environment.
