New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today asked states to prepare a plan of action to avoid fire related incidents predominantly at the COVID dedicated facilities of the government as well as private sector.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in a letter to the states and administrators of Union Territories said, “Care should be taken to put in place a plan of action, to ensure that no fire incident occurs in any of the health facilities (particularly COVID-19 dedicated facilities) both in the government and private sector.”
The States and UTs have been requested to conduct a detailed review with officials from the Health, Power and Fire Departments, and prepare a detailed plan of action to ensure that fire safety measures are in place in all hospitals and health facilities, the statement said.
He also requested the States and UTs to issue directions to the concerned officials at various levels, that health facilities should be visited by field level officials, to examine internal wirings and availability of functional safety equipment as per fire safety guidelines, within these facilities, and necessary remedial action be taken immediately in case any deficiencies are found.
Further, he directed states and UT’s to ensure uninterrupted power supply on regular basis in all the hospitals and medical facilities.
“A large number of COVID-19 cases are under treatment in COVID-dedicated health facilities across the country. In most of the cases, oxygen supported beds, ICU beds, and ventilators are critical interventions, and therefore, it is important to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply on regular 24×7 basis, in all the hospitals and medical facilities,” Home Secretary said in a statement.
“Saving every life is a priority, and it is critical to ensure that required support is provided to all health facilities managing COVID-19 by taking requisite actions in advance to avert any incident, which could hamper effective health care delivery to patients, ” it added.
