‘Kolkata fire tragedy a wake-up call for State’
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The devastating inferno at the AMRI Hospital in Kolkata which has claimed 93 lives so far may prove to be a warning bell for Meghalaya as far as the safety and security to patients is concerned.
The unfortunate incident has raised concerns on whether the hospital located in Shillong are safe and whether all the hospitals have the required equipments like fire extinguisher, fire alarm system or proper exit system etc., to avoid any such tragedy.
Talking to The Shillong Times here on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister and in charge Health and Family Welfare, Rowell Lyngdoh, said that the unfortunate tragedy in Kolkata has awakened the State Government on the need for putting in place proper security and safety measures in the hospital located in the State.
“There is an urgent need to examine and see whether our hospitals are safe and secure to avoid such incidents,” Lyngdoh added.
Lyngdoh informed that the Health department would take up the matter regarding the security aspect of the hospitals, while adding that the department would focus on whether all the hospitals were adhering to the safety rules and regulations.
The minister observed that the hospital authorities in the State need to be cautioned and alerted to avoid such incidents in any of the hospitals in the city.
“Our hospitals have proper ventilation system with doors and windows and most of the hospitals especially the Government-run hospitals are located in areas where there is less congestion,” Lyngdoh added.