Every other day we read about fires in hospitals in India and more so in and around Mumbai. In recent times fires have also taken place in Covid wards. We cannot imagine the plight of the patients who are bed ridden, the aged persons, children and pregnant women who cannot escape from the inferno. The stress on the hospital staff to save lives is also unimaginable. The corporate hospitals charge a bomb for treatment but where are the safety standards? Do they check all the electrical fittings and equipment? Do the fire department personnel frequently check, test and audit the fire equipment in the hospitals? We have never read or seen a closure or revoking of license of a hospital where there has been fire and casualties had taken place.The hospital owners have never been booked and if arrested they are out on bail in a jiffy. The owners should be booked on murder charges, sent to jail and asked to compensate the victims. Shame on the owners, authorities and everyone involved in a hospital fire for they carry on with their lives without a pinch to their conscience.
