BHUBANESWAR: A day after the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) mandated comprehensive fire safety audits for all educational institutions in the state, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling conducted a review of fire safety preparedness in healthcare facilities on Thursday. He directed officials to enhance safety mechanisms in these establishments.

This directive follows a series of recent fire accidents, including a tragic blaze at a coaching center in Lucknow that resulted in approximately 15 fatalities.

During a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, the minister evaluated the current status of fire safety arrangements in all government medical colleges, hospitals, district headquarters hospitals, and other healthcare institutions. He also reviewed compliance with previously issued fire safety directives.

Emphasizing that patient safety is the government’s highest priority, Mahaling instructed health officials to ensure regular inspections and maintenance of firefighting equipment, bolster emergency preparedness, strictly adhere to established safety standards, and enhance the robustness and effectiveness of fire safety systems across all healthcare establishments.

The minister reiterated that ensuring the safety of patients and healthcare workers is a key responsibility of the government. He highlighted the importance of advance preparedness and timely actions at every institution to effectively respond to emergencies, such as fire incidents.

The meeting included the participation of National Health Mission (NHM) managing director D Brunda and senior officials from the Health department, with district-level health officials joining via virtual means.