Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurated the Fire Safety Week, emphasizing the collective responsibility for safety within institutions. The campaign, running from May 4 to May 10, is a joint effort of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with all States, Union Territories, and other central ministries. The theme for this year, “Fire Safety in Health Facilities,” underscores the importance of maintaining safety standards in schools, hospitals, and society as a whole.
Srivastava highlighted the significance of the week in assessing infrastructure, conducting audits, and addressing any safety gaps. She stressed the need for proper training of healthcare professionals to handle fire emergencies effectively. Srivastava also called for regular updates of fire safety audit details on the IHIP portal to ensure compliance and uphold safety standards.
Over 50,000 participants have completed fire safety training through the iGOT platform, showing progress in this area. Srivastava urged for increased efforts in this regard through public participation to strengthen fire safety nationwide. Krishna S. Vatsa from the National Disaster Management Authority emphasized a proactive approach to fire safety in hospitals, with plans for regional programs to enhance preparedness.
Sunil Kumar Jha, Director General (Fire Services), highlighted the critical nature of safety in hospitals due to their sensitivity, where even minor oversights can lead to severe consequences.
