Pune: With the onset of soaring temperatures, the Pune district’s public health department has made it compulsory for all healthcare facilities to undergo thorough fire and electrical safety audits. The directive, issued on Wednesday, aims to prevent fire-related hazards exacerbated by the extreme heat.
Hospitals are particularly vulnerable during the summer months due to overloaded electrical systems, faulty wiring, and overheating medical devices. To mitigate these risks, all healthcare facilities, including district, sub-district, rural, and women’s hospitals, have been instructed to perform immediate safety checks.
The safety audits will involve inspecting all electrical components such as wiring, circuitry, and transformers to identify potential issues that could lead to short circuits. Additionally, fire safety measures including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems must be checked for proper functionality, with any malfunctioning equipment repaired or replaced swiftly.
The order also mandates inspections of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems and generators to ensure hospitals remain operational during power outages. Hospital administrators are required to assess vital medical equipment, including ventilators and air-cooling systems, to ensure they do not overheat and malfunction.
As per the information provided, fire safety drills and emergency evacuation training for hospital staff have also been made mandatory to ensure quick response in case of an emergency.
In response to the rising heat, Pune District Hospital has set up a special heat stroke unit with 10 beds, while rural and sub-district hospitals are equipped with five-bed units, essential medications, and cooling systems. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and ambulances are stationed at all hospitals for quick interventions.
Hospital administrators have been advised to create shaded seating areas and avoid holding public gatherings during the hottest parts of the day to reduce exposure to heat-related health risks.
