This story is from January 11, 2021

Bhandara hospital lacked fire systems for 5 years, sought funds in May 2020: RTI

Information obtained under the RTI Act has revealed Bhandara district general hospital, including its Sick Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU), where ten babies died in a fire on Saturday, does not have any fire detection, prevention or extinguishing systems. Funds had been sought for the works five years after bringing SNCU into use for admission and treatment of neonatals.
Bhandara hospital lacked fire systems for 5 years, sought funds in May 2020: RTI
The fire broke out at the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Bhandara district hospital on Saturday (ANI photo)
NAGPUR: Information obtained under the RTI Act has revealed Bhandara district general hospital, including its Sick Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU), where ten babies died in a fire on Saturday, does not have any fire detection, prevention or extinguishing systems. Funds had been sought for the works five years after bringing SNCU into use for admission and treatment of neonatals.
The officials of Bhandara Municipal Council (BMC) and state’s Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed SNCU also did not have occupancy certificate, which was mandatory for bringing the structure into use.

As per information provided by PWD officials, the administration of district general hospital had proposed to construct G+2 floor building comprising SNCU, as an extension to existing old building of the hospital. Funds for fire systems were not sought in the plan submitted with the state government in 2012-13, when the state sanctioned Rs1.92 crore under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Accordingly, PWD constructed the building and handed it over to District General Hospital in August 2015.
In September 2015, the then public health minister Deepak Sawant, who was also Bhandara district guardian minister, inaugurated the building in the presence of the then MP Nana Patole, who is now speaker.
As per Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006, and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), the hospital should have all types of systems to automatically detect smoke, and fire, and spray water automatically in case of fire. All these works are mandatory along with civil works and fire compliance certificate before bringing the structure into use.
Social activist from Bhandara Vikas Madankar told TOI, “I first sought information related to fire systems in entire hospital, including new building housing SNCU on October 12, 2018. District civil surgeon on October 24, 2018, informed me under RTI Act that hospital lacked smoke, and fire alarms, which are mandatory for automatic detection and alert. Also, there were no fire sprinklers to pour water automatically for dousing fire.”

Similarly, the hospital lacked other systems like fire hydrant, hose reel etc, which is useful in pouring water to douse fire. Even fire escape ladder, staircase, exits are not there in hospital which play crucial role in evacuating people during fire, he said.
Madankar added, “Again, I asked for information under RTI on June 23, 2020, to know whether fire systems were installed and any initiatives taken by hospital administration. I was informed the situation was as it is. I was provided copy of a letter dated May 12, 2020, which was sent by district civil surgeon (CS) to directorate of health services, Mumbai. CS had sought Rs1.52 crore for fire systems in the letter. It is unfortunate that CS proposed works and sought funds after bringing building housing SNCU into use five years ago. The incident would not have happened, and babies saved if CS had got works done after my first RTI in 2018.”
MLC Parinay Fuke also said the incident which claimed lives of 10 babies could have been averted were fire systems in place. “Hospital never obtained fire NOC and installed systems, so fire compliance and occupancy certificates are a distant dream. Action including FIR should be registered against concerned officials who brought the building into use without fire systems and these certificates. Government is also responsible as it did not sanction funds for last 10 months. Timely release of funds and completion of works could have prevented the incident,” he said.
CS Dr Pramod Khandate assured to call back but later did not respond to TOI’s calls and messages.
PWD officials said, “We do not issue occupancy certificate and it was responsibility of hospital administration to obtain it from local authority.”
Chief officer of BMC said, “The hospital did not obtain either occupancy certificate or fire NOC. We issued notice to all hospitals in the town including general hospital in 2018. A registered agency was also sent to the hospital to explain importance of fire systems. Till date, we have not received any application for certification.”
BMC also did not take any coercive action against hospital administration for non-compliance with its notice in last two years.
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About the Author
Anjaya Anparthi

Anjaya Rajam Anparthi, 33, is a principal correspondent with The Times of India, Nagpur edition and looking after civic beat. He also likes to write stories from power and mining beats. He is a fond lover of city’s environment and highlight stories related to trees, greenery, rivers, lakes, sewage system, water treatment plants, and pollution-level. The issues related to civic amenities takes him to various parts of the city, slum areas, posh localities and meet citizens, social activists, NGOs, corporators and political leaders. Daylong visit to the NMC’s administrative offices makes him easy in learning various planning and developments of the city. He too likes to visit the developmental projects being undertaken under JNNURM Scheme once in a week. Maintaining a good contact with 145 corporators and officials, he like to highlight various issues related to the city spread in over 217 sq.km.

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