Odisha Government Mandates Swift Fire Safety Inspections for Healthcare Facilities

Urgent Fire Safety Measures in Odisha's Healthcare Sector

Bhubaneswar: In response to recent fire incidents at various healthcare facilities, the Odisha government has mandated a comprehensive fire safety inspection of all government-operated medical establishments within a 15-day timeframe.

Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S conveyed these directives to fire safety officers, electrical inspectors, and engineers during a meeting held last evening, as reported by a health department official.

Aswathy emphasized the need to prioritize inspections of operation theatres (OTs), intensive care units (ICUs), special newborn care units (SNCUs), and areas with heavy electrical loads, such as CT and MRI machines, which are particularly vulnerable to electrical hazards.

She also instructed officials to ensure that generators are properly connected to the electrical systems of the buildings to mitigate the risk of short circuits.

The meeting concluded with a decision to incorporate fire safety measures from the initial planning stages of hospital construction, eliminating the need for retrofitting after completion.

Joint committees comprising fire officers, electrical inspectors, and public health officials were tasked with conducting on-site inspections to identify fire safety deficiencies and compile a detailed report of necessary corrective actions within the stipulated 15 days.

Districts were urged to implement all necessary measures to obtain electrical and fire safety certifications.

The state government has allocated approximately Rs 300 crore to enhance fire safety across government health institutions.

The health secretary assured that funding would be available to districts based on their proposed corrective plans, emphasizing the importance of timely execution.

Additionally, officials were instructed to regularly conduct mock fire drills in collaboration with local fire departments, hold review meetings with stakeholders, and ensure the maintenance of fire safety and electrical equipment.

A state-level joint team will oversee the progress of these initiatives through field visits.