The Principal Secretary of the health department, Harsh Gupta, stated that the government would need an estimated Rs 600 crore to bring all government hospitals up to code
A new report has revealed a shocking lack of fire safety compliance in Bengaluru’s hospitals, with thousands of patients’ lives at risk due to inadequate measures. The investigation, conducted by major media organisation , found that a staggering number of medical facilities, both government-run and private, are operating without the necessary fire safety certifications.
According to the report, fewer than 1 per cent of government hospitals (14 out of 2,878) and only about 5 per cent of private hospitals (315 out of 5,850) meet the required fire safety standards. This alarming deficiency is particularly dangerous for immobile patients who would be unable to evacuate in the event of an emergency.
The Principal Secretary of the health department, Harsh Gupta, stated that the government would need an estimated Rs 600 crore to bring all government hospitals up to code. The upgrades are planned to be carried out in phases, prioritizing the highest-risk facilities first. The department has also taken a firm stance against non-compliant private hospitals, vowing to withhold license renewals from those that fail to meet the norms.
The article highlights a major loophole, where while a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department is required for initial registration, many hospitals are failing to renew their certification every three years as mandated. The fire department has recently expanded its requirements, making fire safety certificates mandatory for all buildings under 15 metres in height.
Dr. C N Manjunath, a former hospital director, emphasized the need for swift action. “The government must set clear deadlines for compliance,” he said, “and hospitals need to be training their staff on fire drills to ensure that patients can be safely evacuated during an emergency.”
