Nursing home owner solely responsible for any fire incident in hospital-DGHS warns of closure against failure

New Delhi: Due to the failure of registered nursing homes and private hospitals in Delhi to implement adequate fire safety measures, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued stern instructions. The DGHS has made it clear that in the event of any untoward incident, the responsibility will fall entirely on the nursing home or private hospital owner. Non-compliance will lead to serious actions, including closure and suspension of services.

With the summer season approaching, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed all registered nursing homes and private hospitals in Delhi to implement proper fire safety measures. The DGHS warned that if any accident or mishap occurs due to fire safety negligence, it will hold the nursing home or hospital accountable.

The circular in this regard was issued on Friday after DGHS observed that many nursing homes have not followed the instructions to conduct a fire safety audit of their facilities and, as a result, failed to implement the necessary fire safety measures.

On May 28, 2024, the DGHS issued a letter instructing all registered nursing homes in Delhi to conduct a fire safety audit of their facilities. The nursing homes were required to submit a compliance report to their respective Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) offices after completing the audit. 

Also read- TN Govt directs all hospitals to complete fire safety audits within a month

According to a revised checklist, nursing homes located on the ground and first floors were specifically required to install various fire safety measures and get them verified through an audit as per the parameters mentioned in the checklist. However, despite these directives, the DGHS recently observed that these instructions were not being followed by the nursing homes and private hospitals in the capital. 

"Whereas, this directorate vide letter dated 28.05.2024 had directed all registered Nursing Homes in GNCT of Delhi to get Fire Safety Audit of their hospital / Nursing Homes done immediately and submit compliance report to their respective CDMO office. Further, as per revised checklist all the nursing homes running on ground floor & first floor were required to install various fire safety measures in their respective nursing home and get the audit done as per parameters mentioned in the checklist but it has been brought to the notice of this directorate that many nursing homes are not complying with the directions / requirements regarding fire safety measures," reads the circular. 

With the ongoing summer season, DGHS has now instructed all registered nursing homes and private hospitals in Delhi to ensure that proper fire safety measures are in place. The authorities are emphasizing strict compliance with fire safety regulations to prevent potential fire-related incidents during the hotter months. 

"Therefore, in view of the oncoming summer season, the keepers of all registered nursing homes/private hospitals situated in NCT of Delhi are directed to ensure that the fire safety measures are in place. In case any untoward incidence happens, it will be the sole responsibility of the keeper of nursing home / private hospital. This is for strict & immediate compliance and failure to comply with the above mentioned directions shall be viewed seriously and action including closure of Nursing Homes & closure of services would be initiated against the concerned defaulter Nursing Homes/Private Hospitals," adds the circular. 

Also read- Show Cause notice issued to Pune Private Hospital for violation of Nursing Home Act