Here is an explosive revelation. Neither 21 precious lives would have lost nor could Odisha have made it into the discredited list of States in the country hosting incendiary hospitals, had the State Government swiftly acted when the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH) de-accredited the SUM Hospital only in August last.
The NABH after finding key gaps (in fire safety) that were critical for patient safety and quality in healthcare had communicated the same to the State Government for necessary action. The grim fact is NABH’s withdrawal of accreditation meant immediate interventions from the Government to see the hospital stop functioning still it complies with the loopholes. But, alas, red-tapism in the State Government refused to wake up to the occasion.
It has been learnt the NABH during its surveillance found the hospital lacking of fire detection system in the form of fire and smoke sensors. Even, the central fire alarm system, which needs to be monitored 24x7, was in disarray. On the ground these lapses were vividly discernible post mishap given the response time of the hospital emergency team to attend to the fire mishap.
Moreover, it found no exclusive place designated in the hospital for assembling of patients/staff in event of fire mishap. Above all, the hospital has not maintained detailed record of mock fire-drills, when the norm mandates at-least two such fire-drills in a year so as to take remedial action on whatever concerns crop up during such drills. On the top of it, the hospital has no proper evacuation plan on record to show in the event of fire.
“The hospital has no electrical safeties in place. The team failed to find any detailed record in the hospital showing preventive maintenance and testing of electrical systems regularly at pre-decided intervals. Even, no stickers were found affixed post checking, as mandated under the norm, when the team was on surveillance visit to the hospital,” confided a top official of the NABH.
It is seen that when most of the casualties in the mishap were recorded in ICU, what is conspicuous is when norms suggest ensuring of facilities to shift bed-ridden patients in event of fire to an enclosure separated by smoke barrier, the facility is not built in the premier hospital of the city.