Shillong: Following the AMRI hospital
disaster in Kolkata, Meghalaya government today directed the
state hospitals to install facilities for the safety of
patients and personnel in the event of an emergency.
Terming AMRI incident where 93 persons, mostly
patients, were died of asphyxiation earlier this month as an
eye-opener, Additional Deputy Commissioner D M Wahlang said,
"It is important that we have every safety plan in place in
any case of an emergency."
This was more important for the North East as the
entire region lies in seismic zone 5, areas with the highest
risks of earthquakes, Wahlang said "having fire safety and
emergency response team in place are of prime importance."
He had a meeting with representatives from at least 10
private hospitals at his office during the day to discuss how
to improve safety measures.
The hospital authorities have consented to have fire
alarms and smoke detectors installed at each room of every
floors, he said.
"We will write to each hospital to have special teams
from the fire department and the electrical department of the
PWD to inspect their infrastructure," Wahlang said.
Woodland Hospital managing director W Kharshiing said,
"The government should come up with guidelines for hospitals,
especially those who are in the pipeline, to stick to strict
safety measures."
Other suggestions by hospitals included training of
staff on safety in an emergency situation, regular drill,
having bright indicators on the floor to guide patients to the
exit and forming an expert panel to set guidelines.
PTI
