Health Ministry Launches Fire Safety Week, Issues New Hospital Safety Guidelines

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a nationwide Fire Safety Week (4–10 May 2026) and issued new National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026) to strengthen fire prevention, preparedness, and emergency response systems across hospitals in the country.

The initiative comes in response to the need for safer hospital environments , particularly after concerns over fire-related incidents in healthcare institutions in recent years. Hospitals, especially critical care units, have been identified as high-risk environments due to the presence of oxygen systems, electrical equipment, and flammable materials.

The Ministry stated that the new guidelines aim to address gaps in earlier safety frameworks , which were not always uniformly implemented or sufficiently detailed for modern healthcare settings. The updated framework provides a standardised safety system applicable to both public and private hospitals across States and Union Territories.

The guidelines introduce a comprehensive approach covering governance structures, risk assessment, infrastructure planning, emergency response mechanisms, training, compliance systems, and awareness programmes . Special emphasis has been placed on high-risk zones such as ICUs, NICUs, PICUs, and Operation Theatres , where stricter fire safety protocols have been mandated.

The Fire Safety Week was inaugurated with a nationwide pledge led by Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava , who stressed that ensuring fire safety in hospitals is a collective responsibility . She called for regular fire audits, capacity building of healthcare staff, and greater use of digital reporting systems for compliance monitoring.

Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) highlighted the importance of a systems-based and proactive approach , including regional capacity-building programmes, self-certification mechanisms, and routine emergency preparedness drills. The Director General of Fire Services also underscored that hospitals require continuous vigilance and strict adherence to safety norms , given their complex operational environment.

During the week-long observance, hospitals across the country will conduct fire safety audits, mock drills, evacuation exercises, live demonstrations, and awareness webinars . The Ministry has also circulated a detailed checklist to ensure that healthcare institutions regularly evaluate their fire and electrical safety standards.

Authorities have been instructed to strengthen training programmes for healthcare workers, including hands-on demonstrations in the use of fire detection and suppression systems. More than 50,000 participants have already completed the iGOT fire safety course , and efforts are underway to expand participation further.

The Ministry has called upon all stakeholders to actively implement the guidelines and participate in the observance, with the broader goal of building a safe, resilient, and well-prepared healthcare system capable of protecting patients, caregivers, and medical staff from fire hazards.