Govt hospital prone to fire tragedy

Aurangabad, Feb 7:

The Government hospitals which lacked fund to remove shortcomings found in fire and electrical safety audits may invite any tragedy.

It may be noted that ten newborn babies died in a fire that broke out at ICU of District Hospital in Bhandara on January 9. The State Government issued orders for fire and electrical safety audits of the Government Hospitals. The district health machinery completed hospitals' audits, primary health centres on a war-footing one month ago and many shortcomings like old wiring, faulty electric equipment, were found.

The review of electrical and fire safety was carried out at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). It was found that there is old wiring and lacks fire safety mechanism. The safety of surgical building lies only on the selected fire extinguisher.

The GMCH prepared a proposal of Rs 8.50 crore to remove the shortcomings, but, nothing was done because of the fund's unavailability. The district civil hospital (DCH) lacks a fire fighting system. It depends on fire extinguishers.

The hospital has sent a proposal of Rs 62 lakh to the State Government to the fire fighting system.

There is no word from the Government. The Health Department of Zilla Parishad is waiting for the fire extinguishers for primary health centres. The GMCH needs Rs 7 crore for the hospital and Rs 1.50 crore for college. GMCH dean Dr Kanan Yelikar said that the fund is likely to be sanctioned up to March.

District civil surgeon Dr Sundar Kulkarni said that the DCH had prepared a proposal of Rs 62 lakh for fire fighting system.

“There is no need for electrical safety audit in DCH which has not completed five years after construction. The audit of district hospitals was carried out,” he added.

District health officer Dr Sudhakar Shelke said that fire extinguisher would be installed in primary health centres, but, they are waiting for the fund.

He said that they had sought the required amount from local development fund and other schemes.