MoHFW launches special fire safety drive covering government and private healthcare facilities, mandates monthly audits through IHIP portal
In a major initiative to strengthen fire safety across healthcare institutions, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has directed all States and Union Territories to conduct comprehensive fire safety audits of every government and private health facility under a nationwide special campaign and upload the findings on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) by July 31.
The special drive will cover both public and private healthcare institutions, with the audit findings required to be submitted through the IHIP portal within the stipulated timeline.
Health Secretary Issues Nationwide Directive
The directive was issued by Union Health Secretary Punyasalila Srivastava through an official communication addressed to all States and Union Territories.
In the letter, the Health Secretary emphasised that fire safety should become an integral part of routine hospital operations and patient safety protocols rather than being treated as a one-time compliance exercise.
She urged state governments to ensure continuous monitoring of fire safety standards and make them a permanent component of healthcare administration.
Monthly Fire Safety Audits Through IHIP
According to the Ministry, 4,083 secondary-level public and private hospitals reported completion of fire safety audits on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) during May, although the actual number of facilities audited is believed to be higher.
To institutionalise the process, the Ministry has instructed all States and Union Territories to ensure that every government hospital, private hospital and nursing home conducts monthly fire safety audits through the IHIP portal.
Focus on ICUs, NICUs and Critical Care Units
The Ministry has directed states to pay special attention to high-risk hospital areas, including:
- Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)
- Nurseries
- Other critical care units
These departments have been identified as priority areas because fire incidents in such locations can have severe consequences for critically ill patients and newborns.
Updated Fire Safety Guidelines to Be Widely Implemented
Along with the audit exercise, the Ministry has instructed States and Union Territories to widely circulate the updated National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities among hospitals and healthcare institutions.
The objective is to improve preparedness, strengthen emergency response mechanisms and minimise the risk of fire-related incidents across healthcare facilities.
States Asked to Closely Monitor Compliance
The Union Health Secretary has urged state governments to personally oversee the implementation of the special fire safety campaign and ensure timely completion of audits.
The Ministry stressed that maintaining robust fire safety systems should remain a continuous priority for all healthcare institutions to safeguard patients, healthcare workers and hospital infrastructure.
