Odisha Govt Begins Fire Safety Audit Of Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: Following the fire mishap in SUM hospital that has claimed 29 lives so far, the Odisha government has started audit of electrical installations and fire safety measures in all the government run hospitals in the state.

One more death reported on Friday taking the toll to 29 in the SUM hospital fire mishap. The patient was undergoing treatment at Neelachal Hospital here, said sources.

“In the first phase, three medical colleges and hospitals at Berhampur, Cuttack and Burla, Sishu Bhawan, Capital Hospital and Achrya Harihar Regional Cancer Institute are being audited on electricity installation front and immediate remedial measures are being taken,” works secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan said.

In second phase, audit of district headquarters hospitals (DHHs), primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) will be done, he said.

The third party audit is being carried out by electrical inspectors of energy department while General Electrical Davison (GED) engineers are taking corrective measures, he pointed out.

“We have observed that maximum fire incidents occur due to defunct electricity appliances. That is why we have decided to conduct an audit of electric installations so a that major part will be complied with and it will also minimise fire mishaps,” Pradhan said.