Nadda highlights need for fire safety in health facilities

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday underlined the importance of disaster preparedness and fire safety in healthcare facilities.

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At the second national workshop on ‘Health Sector Disaster Preparedness and Response’ and ‘Fire Safety in Healthcare Facilities’, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, “The lack of sensitivity towards disaster and fire preparedness leads to complacency, which further leads to carelessness that proves to be a spark of fire, a spark of disaster.”

The minister said health facilities should be made more resilient and resistant towards disaster and fire incidents.

“We should focus on the preventive part of the disasters so that uninterrupted, comprehensive and quality health services can be ensured and we can stay vigilant; mitigate and address unforeseen situations,” he said.

Referring to the increased responsibility of healthcare facilities, Nadda added, “Since we work with high-load equipment and chemicals and material like oxygen that not only save lives, but also are highly inflammable and might cause a hazard. Therefore, there is a need for increased sensitisation towards them.”

Urging all stakeholders to contribute to this duty, Nadda stated that the responsibility lies not only with the top tier officials but also with the grassroots workers and paramedics.

He also underlined the need to increase the confidence of the healthcare workers regarding disaster-response, for which he stressed on the necessity of practical knowledge and training along with theoretical knowledge.

Nadda reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also has stressed on the need of regular fire safety audits of the institutions to avert mishaps.

Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava pointed out that considering the onset of summer, it is important to focus on fire safety in hospitals.

“At times of disaster, health facilities are the harbinger of hope for all those who have been affected by the disaster. Therefore, disaster management, and particularly hospital disaster management becomes very important. Preparedness is the core element of ensuring that we meet each and every incident in an effective manner,” she said.