Vikram Aditya
Port Blair, Oct 19: The threat of a major fire disaster looms large over the government-run GB Pant Hospital which caters to thousands of patients a day as it has not been able to ‘correct’ fire-prone zones insides its premises. The referral hospital recorded three fire mishaps in the last three months, luckily in the new concrete OPD block. In one such accident, a whopping 80 lakh Decompression Chamber was destroyed. However, the Health Department, it appears, is ignorant of the fact that the old wooden OPD building is the most fire-prone zone in the hospital premises.
Pointing to the loopholes, a Fire official, requesting anonymity, said that a small short-circuit in the Old OPD building could lead to a major fire catastrophe. Crucial units like the Surgical Wards, Labour Rooms operate in the old structure made of dead wood and are dipped in oil (have several quotes of paints) and a small fire would spell havoc for the patients.
Hundreds of patients and their attendants remain present in the old OPD block at any given time and a major fire accident would reduce the entire structure into ashes within minutes. Moreover, the corridor to the Surgical Unit remains closed after 5 pm and during a fire mishap, fire fighters are bound to lose considerable time navigating from the other passage. The Health Department should take prompt cognizance of the state of affairs and take measures to prevent fire accidents in the health hub, the official said.
The Health Department of the administration should immediately swing into action and shift costly medical equipments from the old OPD Block to the new one. Similarly, steps should be taken to shift the Units operating in the old block to the concrete building one by one. Once vacated, the Health Department should embark on a mission to convert the old wooden block into a concrete structure to make it resistant of fire mishaps.
Meanwhile, talking to Andaman Sheekha, Dr. S K Paul, the Director of Health Services today said that the accidents were because of ignorance.
“I have personally said to the Electrical and Maintenance Department of APWD who personally take care of the G B Pant Hospital to take care of this. A main switch will be provided in every room as discussed in a recent meeting but the same is not possible everywhere because of some equipments. The accidents also happens due to voltage fluctuation and it is very dangerous, one of our Dialysis Machines got damaged because of this at Mayabunder,” Dr. Paul added.
I have asked them to spread awareness about fire safety by sticking Dos and Donts, regarding this, everywhere in the Hospital.
Meanwhile, talking to Andaman Sheekha, Er. S. Paul, Assistant Engineer, Electrical and Workshop Division, APWD assure that the Electricity Department is doing its job responsibly.
“We are doing our job, in every two months we check the Distribution boxes, Panel boards. But round the clock the lights fans are on in the G.B.Pant hospital, we have also written a letter to the Medical Superintendent to spread awareness among everybody including their staffs to switch off the light, fans when not in use. It’s the duty of the MS to create awareness, and it is better if they do it.
Regarding main-switch in every room, Er. Paul added that it’s not possible as of now because it needs complete wiring change, which is not possible. “We have 14-15 people who work round the clock,” he added.
