The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) today pulled up the Health Department of Delhi government for not having adequate fire safety arrangements in government hospitals across the national capital, besides other deficiencies.
"Ten out of the 37 government hospitals in Delhi do not have no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued by the Department of Fire Services as of December 2013. Non-functioning of fire fighting systems and improper use of basements was noticed. In select hospitals, neither training for staff on fire safety nor mock fire drills with the help of DFS were conducted," said a CAG report.
The hospitals include Lok Nayak Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Maulana Aazad Institute of Dental Sciences, Maternity Hospital, Acharya Bhikshu Hospital, Dr B R Sur Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital and Guru Nanak Eye Centre.
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The shortcomings were primarily on non-functioning of fire fighting systems such as fire pumps, detection system, sprinkler system, fire extinguishers, exit signs and required pathways, ramps, fire-check doors in old and existing hospitals because of which they have not been issued NOCs.
As for the water management, the underground water tanks were found empty in Dr B R Sur Homoeopathic Medical College and
Hospital. The tanks were not cleaned regularly in Guru Nanak Eye Centre and G B Pant Hospital and used for drinking purpose in GTB Hospital and Guru Nanak Eye Centre.
DG set in the pump room was found not working in the Maternity Hospital, while hose reels were not kept with the water hydrant and nozzles of hydrants were broken or missing in most of the cases in GTB Hospital.
"Further, inspite of incurring an expenditure of Rs 2.61 crore on installation of water harvesting system and water treatment plant, Delhi government hospitals failed to avail the rebate of 15 per cent on their water bills which resulted in excess payment of Rs 7.28 crore to Delhi Jal Board," CAG pointed out.
The CAG report also slammed Lok Nayak Hospital for blockade of Rs 20.66 crore for construction of Orthopaedic Block and procurement of related equipment without putting them to use.
The auditor also rapped the Health department for blocking Rs 191.80 crore and wasteful expenditure of Rs 80.20 lakh on construction and operationalisation of two super speciality hospitals in West and East Delhi which are not fully functional.
