RAWALPINDI – Three government-run hospitals as well as several private hospitals in the city are lacking fire safety arrangements.
According to sources, the fire security arrangements are next to nil in these hospitals while the city government has failed to take any measures in this regard. However, Civil Defence Department is responsible of providing fire protection training and equipments but due to the lack of check and balance system untoward incident could occur any time.
Medical Superintendent BBH, Dr Asif Qadir said that fire safety equipments have been installed in the hospital to tackle fire incident while the equipment would be replaced in 2013, adding that experienced staff is required to use it.
Meanwhile, Assistant Medical Superintendent Holy Family Hospital, Dr Tariq Niazi said installation of new fire safety equipments is much needed in the hospital.
Earlier, Commissioner Rawalpindi Imdadullah Bosal sought report of fire safety measures at government and private hospitals in the city and directed Principal Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) to take all the steps on the hospitals’ premises as soon as possible.
Under the direction of the commissioner, RMC Principal Dr. Mussadiq Khan directed medical superintendents to inspect all the fire safety equipment and conduct drills to check their preparedness to avoid any untoward situation in the hospitals.