Vadodara: The fire and emergency services department of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has issued notices to around half of the Covid-19 hospitals in the city asking them to take appropriate measures to improve fire safety measures. Officials, however, said that all these hospitals have basic equipment needed for fire safety.
Vadodara city and district have 146 hospitals as well as 11 extensions of such hospitals in hotels and other buildings where Covid-19 patients are being treated. The number was increased earlier this week in wake of the rise in number of cases after Diwali.
In-charge chief fire officer Parth Brahmbhatt said that around 70 hospitals were given notices over minor issues. “Most have necessary fire fighting equipment, but we have issued the notices seeking some additions or changes. We will have also started training sessions to train the staff of these hospitals,” he said.
In the case of the GMERS Hospital at Gotri, it has come to light that the hospital had not renewed its fire NOC. “We have asked the hospital to get this done and the matter is under process,” said Brahmbhatt. The issue was also raised in a meeting recently and the hospital authorities said that things were in motion.
Sources, however, said that the hospital at Gotri had equipment and fire fighting systems in place. It only needs to get its certificate renewed.
Officials of the Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited had also examined the hospitals in the city and district. They have also suggested changes or corrective measures wherever needed.