Bhubaneswar: The state government Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Khurda CDMO as to how licence was issued to SUM hospital without adequate fire safety measures.
Seeking explanation within three days, joint director of health department directed the CDMO to explain how he had recommended renewal of registration in favour of IMS and SUM Hospital in without proper inspection as required under the Orissa Clinical Establishments (Control and Regulations) Act 1991.
“Instead of recommending revocation of certificate of registration for the institute how have you recommended renewal of the registration certificate,” asked joint director who said the fire took place in the absence of adequate fire safety measures.
Notably, despite lacunae in fire safety measures the hospital was issued fresh certificate of registration by Khurda collector in July.
The Khurda collector drew flak for passing the buck on to the CDMO who had been tasked to audit fire safety norms at the hospital before issuing certificate.
Meanwhile, in the wake of SUM fire, the Health department Wednesday sent a reminder to home, energy and works departments along with DMET to audit fire safety and electronic installations at various government hospitals. A decision to this effect had been taken by the Chief Secretary October 18.
Meanwhile, the district administration constituted an audit team to inspect fire safety measures in all private and government hospitals in the district. Accordingly, the audit team comprising Khurda ADMO and additional tehsildar inspected safety measures and facilities at the Kalinga hospital in Bhubaneswar.
CESU probe
Central Electricity Supply Utility of Orissa (CESU) and Khandagiri police officials visited SUM Hospital in the day to probe the October 17 fire at the health centre.
Khandagiri police said they accompanied CESU officials to SUM Hospital to investigate electrical wirings. “The Khandagiri police station additional inspector-in-charge accompanied electricity department officials to SUM for investigation,” they added. Meanwhile, the court will resume the hearing of SUM Hospital owner Manoj Nayak’s bail plea Thursday.
Saswati moves HC
SUM Hospital owner Manoj Nayak’s wife Saswati Das moved the Orissa High Court Wednesday seeking anticipatory bail from being arrested. Another trustee, Aarati Ranjana Nayak, also appealed for anticipatory bail in the court. At least 28 patients had died in a massive fire at the hospital October 17. Fire services department had lodged a complaint at Khandagiri police station about inadequate safety measures at the hospital.
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