Balasore: In the wake of the devastating fire mishap at SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar which claimed 23 lives, fire safety measures in private and government-run hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and hotels in various parts of Balasore have come under scanner.
Shockingly, most of these establishments lack fire safety measures, a report said.
Over 20 nursing homes in this district have been operating without obtaining ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the fire department, it was learnt.
Under these circumstances, thousands of patients who are being treated at the hospitals on a daily basis are vulnerable to such mishaps. As per norms, no establishment is allowed to operate without fire safety certificates.
“Balasore has over 20 private nursing homes and clinics, but none of them have got fire safety certificates,” confirmed assistant fire officer, Prabhat Kumar Mohapatra.
On the other hand, the chief district medical officer (CDMO) said the nursing homes and clinics have been given permission for operation as they abide by rules governing fire safety.
Earlier, private nursing homes were running after obtaining permission from the CDMO, but as per the prevailing norms, it is the district collector who will give permission to nursing homes after checking the fire safety arrangements.
It is alleged that fire safety measures in all nursing homes are not being checked.
Similarly, over 30 hotels in the district and the town have made a mockery of fire safety norms, sources in the fire department said.
Most of the hotels are three to six storied but lack proper parking place, fire safety measures and proper sanitation.
Running of hotels without NOC from the fire department has raised many eyebrows.
Executive officer of Balasore municipality, Subash Chandra Jena, said the civic body has not granted permission for running of hotels.
“We usually issue NOCs to hotels and nursing homes only after they apply for check up of their fire safety measures. None has applied for NOCs,” Mohapatra said. PNN
