Post News Network
Cuttack, Oct 16: A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in Orissa High Court alleging apathy by the state government towards installation of enough fire extinguishers at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) has warned that the prevailing situation could lead to disastrous consequences.
Filed by Maitri Sansad, an NGO, the petition informed the court that the lives of patients at the 2,600-bed premier government-run hospital is are in danger due to lack of fire extinguishers. According to the petitioner’s counsel, Ajay Kumar Mohanty, though former superintendent of SCBMCH, Shyama Kanungo, had sent to the state government a project proposal of `95 lakh to fit fire-extinguishing systems at the hospital, the project was yet to get the government’s approval.
“The petition cites the example of the fire tragedy at Kolkata’s AMRI Hospital in 2011, in which 89 lives were lost due to the absence of fire extinguishing systems. The incident was an eye-opener for the West Bengal government, following which it issued directives to all government and private hospitals to take preventive measures,” said Mohanty.
A special team of Orissa Fire Services (OFS), during its visit to SCBMCH last February, had asked the hospital authorities to install fire-resistant mechanism in all the departments. It had also advised the hospital authorities to put in place fire detection and alarm systems at the intensive care units (ICUs). OFS had also submitted a survey report to SCBMCH authorities, but no action has been taken so far, alleged the petition.
The PIL pointed out that several fire-related mishaps have occurred at the hospital earlier. An air conditioner caught fire due to short-circuit in a cabin in the plastic surgery department August 4, 2013. The fire spread to other cabins of the department due to absence of extinguishers to douse the flames. Another fire mishap also took place at the ICU of neurology department August 17, 2012.
According to SCBMCH sources, obstetrics and gynaecology is the only department where fire extinguishers have been installed.
The PIL urged the court to give a direction to the government to install fire extinguishers at medicine, casualty, cardiology and other crucial departments at SCBMCH. The petitioner also sought installation of CCTV cameras and PTZ cameras at the hospital, said Mohanty.
SCBMCH emergency officer Bhubanananda Maharana said, “The system would be put in place once the government approves the proposal.”