Charitable hospital in controversy again

Manav Mander
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, April 11

Already in soup over running a charitable hospital from the college building, the authorities of Guru Nanak Girls College have once again come under the scanner on another issue —the hospital is operating without NOC from the Fire Department.

RTI activist had sought information from the Fire Brigade branch. Answering to the query, the Fire Department said Guru Nanak Charitable Hospital had not taken NOC.

The Municipal Corporation, after it came to know about the fire safety status of the hospital, wrote to the Fire Department to take immediate action against the hospital.

The MC had earlier served a notice to the college for allegedly running a hospital from its premises.

The land has been allotted for education purpose but now a hospital is being run from the same premises. The MC had asked for explanation from the college authorities.

Meanwhile, the MC has also written to the Medical Council of India and requested that the hospital should not be given the permission to operate as they had not submitted the required fund with the MC and have also not got the required occupation certificate.

The hospital is being run against the building bylaws and rules, mentions the letter written by Surinder Singh Bindra, assistant town planner.

What they have to say

Fire Department

Bhupinder Singh, ADFO, said the hospital is without NOC for fire safety. “I have yet not received any letter from the MC regarding taking necessary action against the hospital,” he said. The ADFO added that in case the authorities had taken NOC for fire safety, it would not be applicable for the hospital as the classification has changed and the norms are different for giving NOC to hospitals and colleges.

Municipal Corporation

Assistant town planner Vijay Kumar said they had served a notice to the college to which the latter had replied. “The college authorities have submitted that they have opened a hospital for educational purposes. Since the purpose of the hospital is for education, no CLU is required. They have to deposit a fund with the MC and also produce the fire safety certificate for the hospital,” he said, adding that they had not received the fire safety certificate of the hospital yet.

College authorities

Gurbir Singh, president of Guru Nanak Girls College, said the fire safety certificate of the college was due to expire soon and then they would get the inspection done for the entire premises, including the hospital.

“Presently, we have an NOC for fire safety for our college, hostel and laboratories. When the inspection will be due, the hospital will also be included and we will get the NOC for the same,” he said.

Regarding the opening of the hospital on the college premises, he said, “We plan to introduce a nursing subject at the college and for that there is a pre-requisite that a hospital has to be there where students can carry out their practical training. We have opened the hospital for educational purpose only and there is no rule, which says that we have to get the change of land use for the same,” said Gurbir Singh.

Expert opinion

Dr Karamveer Goyal, member of the Punjab Medical Council, said it was correct that a hospital was required for practical training of the students. “One should abide by all rules first and then run a hospital, which is for the noble cause of the people and involves many peoples’ lives,” he said.