Jaipur: Health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar Thursday ordered regular fire safety audits across all hospitals in Rajasthan, citing the need to strengthen emergency preparedness in medical institutions.The directive comes amid heightened concern over public-building safety after a major fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow and last year’s blaze at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, which killed at least eight patients.During a visit to Alwar, Khimsar conducted surprise inspections at the govt hospital, Zenana and Child Hospital, the Community Health Centre in Govindgarh, and the Primary Health Centre in Ramgarh. He reviewed fire safety arrangements and directed hospitals to carry out regular mock drills for emergency readiness.Khimsar sought division-wise details of electrical and fire audits and said patient, attendant, and healthcare worker safety must remain the department’s top priority.“Hospitals have been instructed to regularly inspect fire extinguishers, alarm systems, emergency exits, hydrants, and other firefighting equipment. Electrical audits will examine wiring, panel boards, equipment, and other critical systems to identify hazards and fix them within a time-bound period,” he said.He directed officials to address deficiencies found in audits on priority and ensure compliance reports from all medical institutions are reviewed regularly.During the inspections, Khimsar was informed that several staff members were on leave, including two of four employees at the CHC and nursing staff at the PHC. He ordered disciplinary action against the doctors and staff concerned.The minister chaired a review meeting with medical officers, assessing OPD services, medicine availability, deliveries and mortality, ambulance and equipment arrangements, building conditions, and staffing. He reviewed progress under the Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana and Maa Voucher Yojana, directing officials to connect eligible beneficiaries with the schemes.
