Take steps to prevent hospital fires: CPI(M) to J&K govt

Jammu and Kashmir unit of CPI(M) today expressed concern over the safety of hospitals in the state saying major healthcare buildings were unprotected from fire and the government must take concrete steps to make such buildings fireproof.
"The recent fire incident at Lal Ded maternity hospital followed by today's fire incident at Barzulla bone and joints hospital reflects a pattern and there is a general perception that our hospital buildings are not safe for the patients, staff and the attendants," CPI(M) state secretary, M Y Tarigami said here.
While a massive fire broke out at the Valley's premier maternity healthcare institute, Lal Ded Hospital, on November 5, the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Bone and Joint Hospital here was partially damaged in a fire incident today.

Tarigami said it was a matter of satisfaction that there was no causality in both the incidents, but demanded an enquiry to know the reason behind them.
"So far there is no causalities, but sometimes these incidents can prove catastrophic if left unattended. Incidents like these not only warrant an official inquiry to know the cause of fire, but should also act as an eye opener for the government to take immediate steps to make the hospital buildings fireproof," he said.
He said there was an urgency to install internal fire safety mechanisms in all the hospital buildings which do not have any such facility.

"Similarly, the age old electric wiring in these hospitals needs to be replaced, besides measures be taken immediately to rectify the loopholes," he said.