AIIMS academic block runs without fire safety certificate

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 5

In case of a major fire break-out, it will be very difficult to evacuate doctors, medical students and employees from the academic block of AIIMS. The fire department has cautioned the institute in this regard and has not issued a safety certificate and an NoC to the academic block.

A few days ago, an incident of fire in the Pathology department was reported at AIIMS.

Taking the matter seriously now, the AIIMS administration has started removing scrap, old equipment and other inflammable material from the gallery of academic department so that in case of any mishap, people can be evacuated safely.

During the last four months, three incidents of fire have come to the fore. On the issue, AIIMS Deputy Director (Administration) V. Shrinivasan said, “The reason for the fire incident at the Pathology department could be due to the negligence of the technician as there are a few inflammable things.”

AIIMS has now started removing material lying for a long time in academic block gallery and lab. Till now, nearly 135 trolleys loaded with material have been disposed of and further work of removing waste material is in process.

Condition is such that on the first floor of academic block where the Pathology department is situated, still waste material is lying and the gallery and gate between OPD block and Pathology department is closed. According to the AIIMS administration, the entry and exit of academic block will be cleared soon.

The institute comprises nine buildings out of which eight have been provided with an NoC from the fire department. Only in the academic block, the NoC has not been issued so far.

Following a major fire incident at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, a workshop is to be conducted on January 12. 

As many as 24 major hospitals officials and doctors from all over the country will participate in it and will prepare the directives for the safety measures.

The Deputy Director (Administration) said, “Safety from fire is mandatory as thousands of patients are admitted to hospitals. Keeping this in view, a workshop is going to be conducted. On the bases of discussion, guidelines will be prepared, which will be implemented in all the hospitals countrywde.”