Odisha Health Minister Reviews Fire Safety in All State Institutions

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling on Wednesday chaired a high‑level virtual meeting to review fire safety measures across all state health institutions.

The minister directed district collectors to strengthen fire safety infrastructure, conduct immediate inspections, and ensure the timely completion of pending works.

He stressed that patient safety is paramount, calling for routine fire safety checks at medical colleges, district hospitals, and health centres.

Officials were instructed to form task forces, conduct regular mock drills, and maintain close coordination with Fire Services and the Public Works Department.

Senior representatives from PWD, Health, Agriculture, Relief, district collectors, medical college principals, and fire officers joined the meeting.

Key directives included speedy completion of ongoing fire‑safety projects, mandatory audits, and strict enforcement of prevention and suppression protocols.

The government reiterated its zero‑tolerance stance toward fire hazards in healthcare facilities, aiming to safeguard lives and strengthen emergency preparedness.