Day after AIIMS fire, Health Minister orders special audit; internal probe on

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 18

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today inspected fire safety measures at AIIMS and ordered a special fire audit to boost future preparedness.

He said there had been no loss of life and the hospital area had not been damaged. "I reviewed the situation after the fire at AIIMS. The hospital area has not been affected by the fire and there has been no loss or damage to life," Vardhan said after taking stock of the situation.

The minister said he personally monitored the efforts on-site towards extinguishing the fire and patient care at the AIIMS after yesterday's fire at the institute. He said as a precautionary measure the administration had shifted patients from the affected wing of the hospital to other areas within the campus.

"These patients have now been shifted back to their respective wards in the AB wing. The hospital along with the emergency department and emergency laboratories are fully functional now," Harsh Vardhan said.

AIIMS administration has initiated an internal inquiry to look into the cause of the Saturday fire and further strengthen preventive measures. The fire which is suspected to have started from the microbiology laboratory area has affected some laboratories and office areas.