Doctors gear up to ensure compliance

VIJAYAWADA: "Prevention is better than cure" is a popular saying concerning diseases. However, as for fire accidents, prevention is the only solution and the responsibility lies with all those concerned, including building owners, doctors, medical staff and government officials.Saying that they would abide by norms, many doctors said they were going to bring changes in existing hospital buildings and construct ramps to use them as fire exits. Dr PV Madhusudan Sarma, president of  Private Nursing Homes Association, said, "We are going to organise a meeting with fire department officials and also architects to make necessary changes. The fire department should conduct mock drills at hospitals and security guards and staff should be provided training in using fire equipment, he said. Every individual hospital has to come up with its proposal regarding safety, cellar parking, emergency exit and other issues. These plans will be discussed and sent for the approval to the VMC commissioner. "We will start acting as soon as we get the approval," he added.Dr K Prabha Devi, president of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Vijayawada unit, said that they would decide on priorities after conducting a meeting soon. "We have certain rules to follow and we will see that every possible measure is taken," she said."We are ready to follow the norms, but we need some time," said Dr Vellanki Sridevi, a doctor.VMC former mayor Thadi Sakunthala said fire safety measures should be made mandatory at all hospitals and officials should ensure their implementation. If any hospital fails to adopt fire safety measures, permission to the hospital should be cancelled, she said. All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) city president K Saroja said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure fire safety measures at hospitals. Municipal town planning officials and the fire department should work together in issuing No Objection Certificate to hospital buildings, he said.Alleging that town planning officials are deeply corrupt, Rotary Club Vijaywada president R Krishnaji said issuing fire NOC should be bribe- free. There should be continuous monitor of hospitals and other buildings to check deviations. "It can not be solved in a day or a month. It should become a regular thing," he said. Fire stations too should have modern equipment and adopt modern techniques.