Pakistani nurse to be honoured for saving newborn from deadly hospital fire
The baby whom Razia Noreen saved was the sole survivor of a fire that killed 14 other infants at a major government hospital in Islamabad
Fire engulfed Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a major government hospital in Islamabad, on Wednesday. A 51-second segment of CCTV footage, widely circulated online, captures Razia Noreen running into the burning nursery and emerging seconds later with the newborn in her arms. She tries to go back in, but cannot because of the flames and thick smoke.
Noreen told private broadcaster Samaa TV on Sunday, while in tears, that she had merely done her duty.
“I did not do it for a reward. I love children, and caring for them is my passion,” she said, adding that she wanted to save the others, but “the fire spread through the nursery within two minutes”.