May 29th 2024.
Bhubaneswar has recently been shaken by the tragic hospital fire that claimed the lives of seven newborns. This incident has brought to light various issues related to fire safety in healthcare facilities. Reports suggest that inadequate fire escape infrastructure and expired safety compliance certificates were among the reasons behind this devastating fire. In light of this, it has been revealed that AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the premier healthcare facility in Odisha, has been functioning for almost a decade without a fire safety compliance certificate.
According to a top source in the Fire Services department, the authorities at AIIMS Bhubaneswar have been notified about this issue and have been urged to take immediate action to ensure the safety of their patients and staff. This is especially crucial considering the fact that the hospital receives thousands of patients and their families from not just Odisha, but also neighboring states every day. Any fire mishap in such a crowded and busy facility could result in a high number of injuries and even casualties. It is a stark reminder of the devastating hospital fire that occurred in the city in 2016, which claimed the lives of around two dozen people and injured over 120 others. This incident served as a wakeup call for healthcare facilities to prioritize the safety of their patients and staff, in addition to providing quality care and treatment.
Sources have revealed that although a dedicated fire station has been set up on the premises of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the hospital building itself does not have the necessary fire safety measures in place. This could make emergency response and patient evacuations difficult, even with the presence of a fire tender. The Director General of Fire Services, Sudhanshu Sarangi, has confirmed the lapses on the part of AIIMS Bhubaneswar and has stated that they have been notified about it. He also assured that the necessary steps will be taken by the hospital to rectify the issue. In response, an AIIMS Bhubaneswar spokesperson has stated that although the hospital has a fire NoC (No Objection Certificate), they are currently upgrading their infrastructure to meet all the necessary fire safety standards.
It has also come to light that the three top government healthcare facilities in the state - SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, and VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Sambalpur - also have fire stations on their premises. Efforts are being made to upgrade the fire safety standards in these older establishments. On the other hand, most of the super specialty private hospitals in the city have become fire safety compliant after the 2016 incident. However, there is uncertainty regarding compliance in medium and small clinical establishments in the state.
In response to this concern, Sarangi has stated that the Fire Services department has made the safety of clinical establishments their top priority and has launched an audit of all such places across Odisha. The audit, which began two weeks ago, is being carried out by district offices and reports will be submitted to the respective CDMOs (Chief District Medical Officers) this Thursday. The CDMOs will then ensure that the establishments comply with fire safety standards. On Friday, the Director General is scheduled to give a presentation on this issue to the Chief Secretary.
Sources have also revealed that the audit focuses on obstetrics and gynecology, neonatal, and pediatric clinics and hospitals. These establishments are often found to have inadequate fire safety measures, despite their patients being the most vulnerable to fire hazards. As per norms, a clinical establishment with a structure of 15 meters or more must have a mandatory fire compliance certificate in order to operate. This highlights the importance of ensuring that all healthcare facilities, regardless of their size, are equipped with the necessary fire safety measures to protect their patients and staff.
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