Poor fire safety measures in Dhanbad hospital

DHANBAD: Almost all hospitals in the coal belt lack appropriate fire-fighting system. It has been found that Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH), which is the biggest hospital of the district with 550 beds including ICU, does not have a single fire extinguisher in its premises. This, despite the fact that heavy medical equipment used in almost all departments, can result in short circuit at any point of time.
Superintendent Dr RK Pandey said a letter was sent to authorities concerned demanding proper extinguishers, water sprinklers and carbon dioxide flooding system in the hospital but failed to get any response.
He, however, said the hospital administration is following up with state health department to put the system in place. He also said in case of any fire emergency, the hospital has appropriate exit gates and ramps.
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) owned Central Hospital, with around 500 beds, proves to be slightly better with appropriate numbers of extinguishers at important places but lack the carbon dioxide flooding system and water sprinklers.
Chief medical officer (CMO) of Central Hospital GS Pandey said the hospital administration is taking stock of the present fire safety system and if required, additional systems of fire-fighting would also be installed.
The hospital staff are not trained to tackle any fire situation. Fire safety officer Bandhu Oraon said none of the hospitals in the coal belt get their staff trained on fire-fighting.