Lucknow:
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has directed immediate implementation of fire safety recommendations issued by a probe committee investigating the April 14 fire at Lokbandhu Rajnarayan Combined Hospital in Lucknow, an official statement confirmed on Thursday.
The massive fire had caused widespread panic and led to the evacuation of nearly 200 patients. Following the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the situation, while Deputy CM Pathak visited the site for inspection.
Panel Suggests Urgent Safety Overhaul in Hospitals
The five-member probe panel, formed under the Director General of Medical and Health Services, has proposed a series of stringent fire safety measures for all government hospitals in the state. These include:
- Installation of fire-fighting systems in accordance with standards
- Regular mock fire drills with full staff involvement
- Smoke ventilation through natural means and positive pressurisation in staircases and ramps
- Clear evacuation routes, without obstructions such as channel gates
- Prohibition on enclosing open hospital areas with fibre sheets, tin sheds, or glass panels to preserve natural airflow
Mandatory Fire Preparedness Measures
The panel further recommended the installation of fire alarms, smoke and heat detectors, and clearly marked exit signs. Provision for residential facilities for patients and their attendants was also advised to ensure safety during emergencies.
Importantly, the report emphasized the need for comprehensive staff training in operating fire-fighting equipment and strict adherence to fire safety norms laid out by the central government and local fire departments.
Electrical Safety and Power Backup
The committee also flagged electrical safety, calling for carefully planned wiring, avoidance of spliced joints, calculated electrical loads per circuit, and dual power sources to maintain critical hospital functions during emergencies.
Statewide Enforcement Ordered
In response, Deputy CM Pathak has directed the Principal Secretary of Medical and Health Services to ensure these recommendations are uniformly enforced across all state-run medical facilities.
Reiterating the urgency, Pathak stressed that “safety protocols cannot be compromised” and called for uniform fire safety standards across the entire healthcare system in Uttar Pradesh.
