In the wake of the fire tragedy at the SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar, the Ganjam district administration on Saturday asked all private hospitals and nursing homes to put in place requisite firefighting measures by November 30.
The administration warned of stringent action against violators of the order and fixed different dates for different hospitals. The private health units were asked to obtain requisite firefighting and electrical safety certificates from concerned Government authorities.
It may be noted that though hundreds of private health centres are operating in Brahmapur and other parts of the district, the Government agencies have not inspected safety aspects in the units for long.
According to information available from the Health Department, five private hospitals had applied for NOC from the fire department in December 2015 but are yet to get the same. On the other hand, though the Fire Services DG has already issued a direction for inspection in two major private hospitals here, the latter have not showed any seriousness, much to the worry of general public.
Meanwhile, the District Vikash Manch has demanded that all nursing homes and hospitals be equipped with necessary firefighting measures.