Bhubaneswar: To strengthen fire safety measures in all healthcare institutions across Odisha, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling held a high-level review meeting with all district collectors on Wednesday through a virtual mode at Lok Seva Bhavan.
The minister directed all district collectors to carry out inspections of fire safety infrastructure in healthcare institutions. He asked them to prepare necessary estimates and complete the work within a fixed timeline.
As per the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, strict compliance with fire prevention and firefighting systems in hospitals is being ensured. Directions have been issued to form special task forces, conduct mock drills, carry out regular inspections, and expedite ongoing fire safety projects.
Officials in all districts have been instructed to implement these measures with priority, the minister said in a post on X.
During the review, the minister emphasized patient safety and directed district collectors to ensure regular fire safety checks in all medical colleges, district headquarters hospitals, and other healthcare centres. He stated that all fire safety equipment must remain functional at all times. Regular fire safety audits and mock drills must be conducted.
He also instructed authorities to coordinate with the Fire Services and Works Department to take necessary steps.
The meeting was attended by Works Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, along with senior health officials. District collectors, chief medical officers, fire officers, and medical college principals and superintendents from all districts joined the meeting virtually.
