Audit exposes chinks in fire safety at many hospitals

LUCKNOW : An audit has exposed shortcomings in fire safety and prevention measures in many hospitals, including 27 medical colleges, 223 state governmentrun hospitals and 120 private hospitals requisitioned for treatment of coronavirus patients in the state, according to senior fire services officials who cited the audit report.

Director-general, Fire Services, RK Vishwakarma on Saturday said the audit was carried out on the instructions of home department officials after a minor fire at King George Medical University’s (KGMU) trauma centre on April 8 night caused panic. Citing the audit report, the DG Fire Services said the shortcomings were mainly regarding sprinklers, detection and alarm systems, overhead tanks, static tanks, fire extinguishers and hose reels.

He said the authorities concerned had been requested to get the necessary corrections made at the earliest. The district administration and police officials were asked to coordinate with the fire safety officials concerned.

The audit report details shared by the DG Fire Services

CHINKS IN FIRE SAFETY MEASURES WERE FOUND AT 120 OF THE 247 PRIVATE HOSPITALS REQUISITIONED IN 38 DISTRICTS FOR CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS.

suggested the audit was conducted at 54 medical colleges in 35 of the state’s 75 districts and the shortcomings were found at 27 of these medical colleges, including KGMU in Lucknow.

The report also said the audit was conducted at 549 government hospitals in 73 out of 75 districts of the state. Shortcomings in fire safety and prevention measures were detected at 223 such hospitals, the report said.

Similarly, chinks in fire safety measures were found at 120 of the 247 private hospitals requisitioned in 38 districts for coronavirus patients.

Earlier, a fire broke out in a lift shaft on the second floor of the KGMU’s trauma centre on April 8 night. The flames were doused quickly, but the entire floor was filled with smoke causing panic among the patients