Odisha govt to conduct fire audit at govt hospitals

With the fire incident at the Sum Hospital exposing the chinks in the system, the Odisha government has decided to conduct fire safety audit at all the government-run healthcare facilities across the state.

The decision in this regard was taken at a high level meeting presided over by Chief Secretary A P Padhi and attended by secretaries of energy, health departments and director general of fire service Binay Behera.

A total of 21 persons died and more than 100 others were injured in the fire that broke out at Sum Hospital on Monday evening.

"Fire safety audit at government hospitals in district, sub-divisional level and medical colleges would be conducted. The fire safety measures at places particularly with electrical installations will be reviewed. One month time has been given to Energy and Works department to submit their requirements after inspection," Padhi told reporters.

Meanwhile, Behera has submitted his report based on an on-field investigation at Sum Hospital. He said that of about 160 health facilities in the state capital, only three or four institutions have availed fire safety permission.