Maha Health Minister orders fire, electrical safety audits for all hospitals

Mumbai, Aug 25 (IANS) Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar on Tuesday directed all government, private and charitable healthcare facilities across Maharashtra to conduct immediate fire, electrical, structural and equipment safety audits and submit findings directly to the state government.

The directive is part of a state‑wide initiative to enforce fire prevention measures, emergency evacuation protocols and electrical safety standards.

Abitkar emphasised that patient safety is the government’s top responsibility, warning that negligence regarding fire safety will not be tolerated. Hospital heads, Regional Deputy Directors, Civil Surgeons, District Health Officers, Municipal Health Officers and Medical Superintendents have been made directly accountable for compliance checks in their regions.

The health department has been instructed to conduct rigorous reviews of high‑risk units, including ICUs, NICUs, nurseries and operation theatres. Inspectors will examine electrical wiring and load management, medical gas pipeline systems, evacuation routes, fire‑fighting equipment readiness and staff training. Any deficiencies must be rectified immediately.

Every hospital building and block must undergo a physical fire safety evaluation every six months. Each institution must appoint a designated Nodal Officer to monitor electrical safety, evacuation plans, and drills, and submit regular compliance reports.

Abitkar clarified that institution heads will be held directly responsible if delays in audits or unresolved flaws lead to adverse incidents. All facilities must adhere strictly to national fire and life safety guidelines and submit progress reports to the government.

The directive follows the tragic Amravati hospital incident in which three newborns suffocated to death due to heavy smoke. Rescuers evacuated 36 children, six of whom were shifted to a private hospital for urgent care.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry. At the same time, Revenue Minister and Amravati Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule warned that strict action, including culpable homicide charges, will be taken against those found guilty.

–IANS

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