Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Sunday, November 7, the state government will allocate funds for fire safety audits in all district hospitals. In addition, the Maharashtra government will also work towards creating a post of 'fire safety officer' in each of these facilities, Tope added.
This came a day after a massive blaze in the ICU of Ahmednagar civil hospital killed 11 coronavirus patients on Saturday, November 6.
Tope had visited the site of the tragedy the next day and while speaking to reporters he mentioned the need for fire safety audits of all district hospitals has been discussed, and a decision was taken that separate funds would be earmarked for the purpose.
He also said that INR 217 crores should be immediately sanctioned by the government to conduct the fire safety audits of such hospitals. Moreover, officials have apprised him that prima facie, a short circuit was the cause of the blaze, added Tope.
"Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has given instructions to undertake measures to prevent such fire incidents. There is also a proposal to form a new post of 'fire safety officer' in each district hospital. Moreover, health workers will be trained to deal with such situations, and activities like mock drills will be implemented," Tope was quoted as saying by PTI.
The fire safety officer will monitor the fire safety-related aspects in all the government-run districts, tehsil, and rural hospitals, he further stated.
A committee formed to probe the Ahmednagar fire tragedy has been asked to submit a report in eight days, following which action will be taken against the guilty.
The blaze erupted around 11 am on Saturday in the ICU ward, where 17 COVID-19 patients, many of them senior citizens and some on ventilator or oxygen support, were undergoing treatment.
Read More: Ahmednagar fire: FIR lodged against unknown people; inquiry committee formed
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