In a significant move aimed at boosting fire safety measures across the Indian healthcare ecosystem, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda called for the training and sensitization of healthcare professionals on fire safety protocols and disaster preparedness. His remarks came during the second national workshop on disaster management and fire safety in healthcare facilities, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi, as part of Fire Safety Week activities.

Speaking at the workshop, the Health Minister stressed the critical need for capacity building, particularly in the wake of increasing fire incidents in hospitals, especially in the Delhi-National Capital Region. According to media reports, at least 66 fire incidents have been reported in hospitals in the region, although actual numbers may be higher due to underreporting.

Why This Matters Now

Nadda pointed out the seasonal increase in fire-related risks during the summer, which is a major cause of concern for healthcare establishments that deal with oxygen cylinders, inflammable chemicals, and high-load electronic equipment. These materials, while essential for saving lives, can become hazardous if safety protocols are not followed.

He emphasized, “We need to make our health facilities more resilient and resistant to disasters and fire incidents. We should focus on the preventive part of disasters so that uninterrupted, comprehensive, and quality health services can be ensured.”

Call for All-Inclusive Participation

The minister clearly articulated that fire safety is not the sole responsibility of top-level officials. Instead, it involves ground-level staff, including paramedics, technicians, and support workers. According to him, ensuring fire safety in hospitals requires collective efforts from all stakeholders within the healthcare ecosystem—government bodies, private institutions, and frontline workers alike.

The disaster management cell under the ministry organized this workshop, involving disaster nodal officers from all states and Union Territories, to promote shared learning and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fire safety and disaster readiness across India’s healthcare infrastructure.

Institutional Fire Audits and Regular Monitoring

During his address, Nadda also reiterated the importance of conducting regular fire safety audits in hospitals and healthcare centres. This includes both public and private sector institutions, such as primary health centres, nursing homes, maternity clinics, and preventive care units.

“There is a need for increased sensitization. We work with high-load equipment and highly inflammable materials. The responsibility lies not just with the administration but also with the grassroots level,” he said.

Workshop Focus and Training Modules

The workshop focused on:

• Strengthening fire prevention mechanisms

• Understanding fire suppression techniques

• Mock drills and evacuation training

• Designing safer infrastructure for high-risk zones

• Equipping staff with fire response knowledge

It also emphasized real-time coordination between hospital management, fire departments, and emergency medical services. Nadda stressed that healthcare workers need to be trained not just in medical emergencies, but also in handling disaster scenarios effectively.

Linking Fire Safety to Health System Resilience

With climate change, urban overcrowding, and increasing power consumption, hospitals are becoming high-risk environments. This necessitates a robust disaster management strategy, with fire safety being a major component. Nadda’s approach aligns with global best practices in healthcare disaster risk reduction, where safety preparedness is seen as part of overall health system resilience.

The government, through this workshop, is attempting to instill a culture of proactive prevention, instead of reactive firefighting, and to ensure that India's healthcare institutions are better equipped to deal with emergencies.

Stakeholder Involvement Encouraged

Nadda called for collaboration between ministries, state governments, private healthcare providers, and training institutions to implement nationwide safety protocols. He stressed that such efforts should be made uniformly across India, including rural and remote areas, where the risk is often compounded by lack of awareness and resources.

The minister concluded by urging all institutions to take this opportunity to build internal fire response teams, regularly update equipment, and review emergency protocols, reinforcing that prevention is the key to saving lives in hospital disasters.

The Way Forward

• Mandatory annual fire drills in all healthcare facilities

• Third-party audits for unbiased fire risk assessments

• Real-time digital monitoring systems for high-risk zones

• Training modules integrated into medical and nursing curricula

• Collaboration with fire departments for on-call readiness

Conclusion

With rising fire incidents and the increasingly complex environment in which healthcare facilities operate, the call by J.P. Nadda to strengthen fire safety measures is both timely and critical. His vision of inclusive responsibility, preventive action, and systemic training offers a holistic roadmap for making India’s hospitals safer and more resilient.

By ensuring that all healthcare workers—from top-level management to grassroots paramedics—are trained, alert, and responsive, India can not only reduce the risk of fire-related tragedies but also enhance the overall integrity of its health infrastructure.

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