A tragic incident occurred on the night of October 5 at the Trauma Center of Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS) in Rajasthan, where a fire, caused by a short circuit, resulted in the deaths of eight patients. Following the incident, Rajasthan’s Medical Minister, Gajendra Singh Khhinwasar, established a committee to investigate the matter, promising a report within a week. However, a month later, the report has yet to be released.
An investigation by Bhaskar revealed that the ICU where the fire broke out was not constructed in accordance with established safety guidelines. The ICU, built in 2015, exhibited multiple lapses in safety protocols, which contributed to the fatalities. Key violations included the presence of only one entry and exit gate, inadequate spacing between patient beds, and poor maintenance of electrical wiring, which was identified as the initial cause of the fire.
Additionally, the ICU contained partitions between beds, which hindered the swift evacuation of patients during the emergency. The fire safety system was also reportedly non-functional at the time of the incident, forcing responders to break windows to control the blaze. Other safety deficiencies included the use of substandard false ceilings and the presence of a storage room within the ICU, where the fire is believed to have originated.
In response to the incident, the ICU is being redesigned to comply with the National Building Code and NABH standards. Dr. B.L. Yadav, the nodal officer for the Trauma Center, indicated that the new layout will reduce the number of beds to enhance safety. Meanwhile, Minister Khhinwasar has reiterated the need for the investigation report, which remains pending despite previous assurances.
Tags: SMS Hospital, ICU Fire, Rajasthan Health, Medical Safety, Patient Care, Investigation
