Over two weeks after the Health Department directed 166 district and taluk hospitals to conduct fire safety audits, not more than 44 healthcare facilities (27%) have completed the exercise. Following the tardy progress, the May 21 deadline to submit the audit reports has now been extended till the end of the month.
At the videoconference with Chief Ministers of all States on April 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested that all States should conduct fire safety audits in hospitals as fire accidents had increased due to summer heat.
Following which, State Health Commissioner Randeep D. issued an order on May 7 directing 16 district and 150 taluk hospitals to conduct the audits and receive an NOC from the State Fire and Emergency Services Department. The hospitals had been asked to submit reports by May 21.
