Razia Noreen, a Pakistani nurse, will receive one of the nation's highest civil awards for her courageous act of saving a newborn from a hospital nursery fire that resulted in the deaths of 14 infants. The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a major government hospital in Islamabad.
CCTV footage captured Noreen running into the burning nursery and emerging seconds later with the sole surviving infant. She attempted to re-enter the nursery but was prevented by the intense flames and thick smoke. The fire engulfed the nursery within approximately two minutes, according to an inquiry report requested by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Noreen, who will be awarded the Sitara-i-Khidmat (Star of Service) and receive approximately $36,000, stated she was merely doing her duty and acted out of love for children. She expressed heartbreak over not being able to save the other infants, saying the memories continue to haunt her and prevent her from sleeping.
Prime Minister Sharif commended Noreen for her exceptional courage and devotion to duty, noting she risked her life to save the newborn. Following the incident, eight officials have been suspended, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them. The prime minister also ordered criminal proceedings against those ultimately found responsible for the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The tragedy has prompted broader reviews of fire-safety measures in hospitals across Pakistan. This fire is among Pakistan's deadliest recent tragedies involving children, following the collapse of a school roof in Lahore in June that killed 14 children.