The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued advisory to States for preparing plan of action to prevent the fire incidents in hospitals. The Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in his communication to Chief Secretaries said that in the context of recent fire incidents and particularly in view of the impending summer season, must have a preventive plan and highlighted that no
fire incident occurs in any of the health facilities both in the government and private sector.
“The States and UTs have been requested to conduct a detailed review with officials from the Health, Power and Fire Departments, and prepare a detailed plan of action to ensure that fire safety measures are in place in all hospitals and health facilities.
“The States & UTs have also been requested to issue directions to the concerned officials at various levels, that heath facilities should be visited by field level officials, to examine internal wirings and availability of functional safety equipment as per fire safety guidelines, within these facilities, and necessary remedial action be taken immediately in case any deficiencies are found,” said the advisory.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also drawn attention to the recently issued advisory of the Director General (Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards), MHA on fire safety in hospitals and nursing homes.