HC directs fire sub-station inside SCB hospital campus

Cuttack:  The Orissa High Court directed the Director General of state fire services to set up a fire sub-station inside SCB Medical College and Hospital campus here immediately and take measures to do the same subsequently in the remaining two government teaching hospitals in the state.

The High Court also directed the Executive Engineer of General Electricity department to conduct an electric audit in SCB Medical College Hospital and to take measures to immediately check the recurring fire mishaps due to electric short circuit.

The hospital had recently witnessed three fire mishaps.

Taking up suo motu cognisance of the Tuesday s fire in the cardiology department of SCB Medical College Hospital, the HC had ordered for the personal appearance of the fire services DG, the GED Executive Engineer, the hospital Superintendent and its cardiology head of department during the day.

At least 60 cardiac patients at government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital had a miraculous escape when a major fire broke out in its cardio-vascular department.

A division bench of the vacation court, comprising Justices Indrajit Mahanti and Sangam K Sahoo, also ordered the government hospitals of the state to put adequate fire safety and fire preventive measures in place as per the National Building Code of India-2005.

The HC also stressed on regular mock drill by the hospital staff to make them conversant with the operation and use of fire safety and preventive equipment.