New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Noting that the rising number of fire incidents in hospitals and nursing homes in recent past as a matter of concern, the Centre on Monday asked States and Union Territories (UTs) administrations to adhere to the fire safety norms and immediate review of fire safety norms in all hospitals and nursing homes in their states.
In a demi-official letter written to all Chief Secretaries of States and UTs, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla directed them to re-inspect and re- checks all hospitals and nursing homes from the point of view of fire protection and means of escape to prevent recurrence of such fire incidences in future.
While asking the state administration to submit a action taken report to be shared with this Ministry at the earliest, Mr Bhalla further said that the recently six precious lives of COVlD-19 patients have been lost in a fire incident in ICU ward of a Hospital in Rajkot and eight lives were lost in a Hospital in Ahmedabad.
“ At such a crucial time, When the country is fighting against COVlD19 pandemic, utmost precaution needs to be taken to avoid such incidents in future”, he added.
Union Home Secretary also referred to the advisory sent by the Director General of Fire Services on November 28 which contains necessary advisories to the States and UTs so that suitable directions may be issued to ensure compliance of fire safety guidelines, codes and standards and to ensure that proper fire safety measures are in place in all the buildings including hospitals and nursing homes.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also laid down the guidelines for hospital safety and laying down the provisions to establish the minimum requirements for a reasonable degree of safety from fire emergencies in hospitals which has and the State administration needs to ensure the these safety norms, Mr Bhalla said in his letter.
