Govt To Conduct Fire Safety Audit Of All Its Hospitals

Patna: In the wake of the devastating fire at a private hospital in Muzaffarpur, the state health department has decided to conduct a fire safety audit of all govt hospitals across Bihar and has urged private hospitals to undertake similar checks to ensure patient safety.

Health secretary Kumar Ravi said the department would restart the audit process and formally write to the state fire officer to carry out inspections. He said hospitals with a higher patient load and greater footfall would be prioritised during the exercise. Ravi also said private health centres would be advised to remain vigilant and ensure compliance with prescribed fire safety norms.

Officials and hospital staff said several govt hospitals remain vulnerable to fire incidents due to routine violations of safety standards. Common concerns include blocked entrances and congested corridors, often occupied by stretchers and patients, which can hamper evacuation during emergencies. Another frequently cited hazard is loose and hanging electrical wiring in wards and departments, increasing the risk of short circuits and fire.

The renewed focus on audits follows a series of recent fire incidents at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Within a week, two separate incidents were reported on the campus. The first occurred on Monday at the microbiology department, where several samples were destroyed. Two days later, on Wednesday, another fire broke out in the operation theatre at the Rajendra Surgical Block.

PMCH had also reported a fire in the microbiology department in the previous month, raising concerns over recurring electrical and infrastructure-related risks in critical hospital areas.

The department’s move is aimed at identifying gaps in fire prevention systems, ensuring firefighting equipment is functional and improving evacuation preparedness in both govt and private healthcare facilities. The audit is expected to focus on fire safety clearances, electrical safety, access routes and the removal of obstructions from corridors and entry points.