Odisha Prioritizes Fire Safety in Hospitals: Health Secretary Directs Immediate Action Across State Facilities

Bhubaneswar: In a significant push to strengthen fire safety in government-run health facilities, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S conducted a high-level review meeting at Lokseba Bhawan, directing urgent corrective actions and structural reforms to prevent fire-related hazards in hospitals across the state.

Focusing on areas most vulnerable to electrical mishaps, Secretary Aswathy S emphasized prioritizing fire safety measures in Operation Theatres (OTs), Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), and in departments with heavy electrical equipment such as CT scan and MRI units. She directed that generator connections must be safely integrated with electrical wiring systems to minimize the risk of short circuits.

“Fire safety must be embedded in hospital infrastructure from the design stage itself,” the Health Secretary asserted, adding that future hospital building plans will include inbuilt fire safety systems to eliminate the need for structural retrofitting after construction.

To implement these directives swiftly, joint committees comprising fire officers, electrical inspectors, engineers from the Roads and Buildings Department, and Chief Medical and Public Health Officers have been instructed to inspect all government health facilities in their respective districts. These teams are required to identify gaps, prepare detailed corrective action plans with cost estimates, and submit reports within 15 days.

All districts have also been instructed to comply with fire and electrical safety certification parameters and initiate corrective measures immediately. The State Government has earmarked approximately ₹300 crore to support this safety initiative.

The Health Secretary further emphasized the importance of regular mock fire drills, maintenance of safety equipment, and review meetings with key stakeholders. Local fire departments have been directed to coordinate these drills to ensure hospital staff are well-prepared in emergency scenarios.

Additionally, a state-level joint team has been tasked with monitoring on-ground progress through field visits, ensuring timely execution of safety upgrades.

The review meeting was attended by key officials including Mission Director Dr. D. Brundha, Dr. Pooma Tudu (Managing Director, Odisha State Medical Corporation), and Dr. Santosh Kumar Mishra (Director of Medical Education and Training), along with senior officers from Fire Services, Roads and Buildings Department, WATCO, and Public Health Engineering. Special Secretary and Director of Health Services Bijaya Kumar Mohapatra presented updates and outlined key issues for discussion.