ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani nurse, Razia Noreen, is being hailed as a national hero after she rushed into a burning newborn nursery at PIMS, a major Islamabad hospital, and rescued one baby in just eight seconds, while 14 other newborns died in the Aug. 26 blaze.
Razia Noreen, had been caring for 15 newborns with her colleagues when she noticed flames spreading near the nursery. She immediately dropped a syringe and ran toward the babies as thick smoke began filling the room.
Noreen grabbed one newborn, held the baby tightly against her chest and ran out. Dramatic CCTV footage showed her emerging from the nursery eight seconds later and handing the child to a doctor.
Without stopping to think about her own safety, Noreen turned back toward the burning room. But the flames and heavy smoke had already made it nearly impossible to enter.
Noreen and another nurse lowered themselves to the floor, where the smoke was less dense, and tried to crawl toward the nursery. She said she could not see what was ahead. The smoke made it difficult to breathe, while severe coughing left her struggling to continue.
She kept trying until the flames forced her to retreat. Within minutes, Noreen learned that the other 14 newborns had died. She said she collapsed in shock after hearing the devastating news.
A 51-second CCTV clip of the rescue quickly spread across Pakistan, sparking widespread praise for Noreen. A government inquiry found that she spent only eight seconds inside the nursery and said conditions inside the room deteriorated catastrophically within about two minutes.
The government has announced that Noreen will receive the Sitara-i-Khidmat, or Star of Service, along with a financial reward.
Hospital and district officials initially blamed an exploding air-conditioning unit for the blaze, but the hospital later said a nebulizer blast sparked the devastating fire.
A government inquiry found major failures in fire safety and emergency response. Eight officials have been suspended and disciplinary action has begun. Noreen, said she does not consider herself a hero. She said she simply acted as a nurse and mother.
“Can any mother watch a child burning in a fire?” she asked. “No. Mothers do not do favors for their children. It is their duty.”
Noreen said the tragedy has left her deeply traumatized. She has struggled to sleep and said memories of the babies and their cries continue to haunt her.
“The deaths of those children have traumatized me,” she said. “It may take me years to recover.”
She said she entered the nursery with one goal: “This is the time to save lives.” Noreen also apologized to the families of the 14 babies who died.
“Please forgive me for not being able to save your babies,” she said through tears.
