Three NICH floors at high risk of fire

Electrical and oxygen points in health facility installed extremely close to each other

KARACHI:

Serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements have been identified at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), with the hospital's fourth, fifth and sixth floors declared highly vulnerable to fire hazards in a fire safety audit conducted by the assistant commissioner of Saddar sub-division.

The audit report highlighted several serious fire safety deficiencies in different sections of the hospital, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and recommended immediate corrective measures.

According to the report, electrical and oxygen points in the NICU are installed extremely close to each other. It also revealed leakage in the oxygen line, with tape being used as a temporary measure to seal pipe joints. Exposed and unsafe electrical wiring was also identified as a serious fire hazard.

The NICU's mechanical ventilation system was found to be non-functional, while exposed and temporary wiring was also observed in connection with old air-conditioning units.

The fire safety audit found that the hospital's fire alarm system was non-functional and that most of its smoke detectors were also not working. The number of fire extinguishers at NICH was deemed inadequate. The report noted that hospital staff had not received adequate training to deal with fire emergencies and that regular fire drills were not being conducted.

Emergency exits were found blocked by equipment and waste, while the report also expressed concern over public access to the power room. The power room lacked smoke detectors and adequate firefighting arrangements, according to the audit.

The report also referred to previous fire incidents at NICH. A fire broke out in the hospital's ICU on June 30, while in January 2020, a newborn died after a fire broke out in an incubator.

Despite these previous incidents, the report noted that comprehensive fire safety arrangements at the hospital had still not been completed.

The audit recommended that the hospital administration immediately ensure the safety of its electrical, oxygen and ventilation systems, activate the fire alarm and smoke detection systems, remove all obstructions from emergency exits and conduct regular fire drills for staff.

The report also stressed the need to immediately ensure comprehensive and effective fire safety arrangements throughout NICH.