Majority of Government and Private Hospitals Lack Fire Safety Approval, Raising Patient and Staff Safety Concerns
Bengaluru: A recent disclosure by Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao revealed that only 329 out of 8,728 registered government and private hospitals in the state have valid fire safety approvals. This includes just 14 of 2,878 government hospitals and 315 of 5,850 private hospitals.
National Building Code Compliance Largely Ignored, Risk of Fire Accidents Heightened
The National Building Code mandates uniform fire safety standards for all hospitals. However, the majority of healthcare facilities in Karnataka remain non-compliant, posing a significant risk. The Minister noted that in 2024 alone, three fire incidents occurred in hospitals across the state.
Urgent Need for Safety Upgrades with Estimated Cost of Rs 550 Crore for Government Hospitals
Minister Rao highlighted that fire safety has not been adequately addressed in the past. Following a recent review, it was found that 2,864 government hospitals are yet to meet fire safety requirements, with an estimated Rs 550 crore needed to obtain necessary clearances and upgrades.
Similar Action Taken in Pune Highlighting Nationwide Safety Gaps
We had earlier reported that Pune Municipal Corporation inspected 867 private hospitals, issuing show-cause notices to 24 for failing to renew fire no-objection certificates (NOCs) and for neglecting fire safety equipment upgrades. Dr. Suryakant Deokar, PMC Health Officer, stressed the importance of strict adherence to fire safety norms to protect patients and staff.
