Bhubaneswar: Dubbing the fire mishap at Sum hospital that claimed 21 lives, very shocking and saddening, Union Health minister Jagat Prasad Nadda today observed some lapses in safety measures taken by the leading private health institute.
"It is really very saddening, shocking, painful also. I have found some safety issues there which need to be addressed", Nadda told newsmen after visiting the fir-hit hospital here today.
The union minister also asked the State government to take exemplary action against the guilty to rebuild the public trust. "The State government is conducting an inquiry and we are also awaiting the details. This is an incident of serious nature and we should take steps so that this is not repeated and also see to it that the culprits do not go scot-free. It is for the state government to take action and try to see to it that appropriate action is taken so that people’s faith is reposed. I will ask my officials to revisit the issue and take steps to ensure that protocols and guidelines are follow accordingly", Nadda added.
The Central minister assured all possible support to the State for treatment of the fire-hit victims.
"I am not here for blame game. Our priority is proper treatment of patients who have been affected due to the fire at a medical facility two days ago," Nadda told reporters after visiting the patients at Capital hospital.
Stating that the Centre would take measures to ensure better treatment of the fire-hit patients, Nadda said the state government had constituted panels for conducting inquiry into the mishap.
The state government should implement fire safety measures strictly at all hospitals, said Nadda
Nadda accompanied by his Cabinet colleague and Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan drove straight to Capital hospital to meet the injured soon after he landed at Biju Patnaik airport today. Later, both the central ministers also visited other hospitals including AIIMS to enquire about the health condition of the patients.
Talking to media persons, Oil Minister said- "Prime minister has taken the matter very seriously since the tragic incident took place at a private hospital. He also discussed the matter with us and has sent the Health minister to meet the survivors undergoing treatment at various hospitals”.
On the other hand the Union health minister while commenting on the Japanese Encephalitis outbreak and malaria cases said “I have also reviewed the Japanese Encephalitis issue and Malaria outbreak which is happening here in the State. I have stated it very clearly that the Centre is there to help you on all issues. My question is why such incidents are happing in Odisha time and again? In case of Japanese Encephalitis outbreak, a lot of initiatives have been taken and had they been taken on time then it would have been beneficial. We are there to provide all the necessary support. But the State government should ensure all protocols are followed and stay proactive and act on time so that such incidents do not take place.”