Union Health Ministry Rolls Out Fire Safety Week Across Hospitals From May 4

The Union Health Ministry will observe a Pan-India Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10 across healthcare facilities , aiming to strengthen preparedness, prevention, and response to fire hazards in hospitals and medical institutions.

The programme will be inaugurated at Kartavya Bhawan by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava , during which a Fire Safety in Health Facilities pledge will be administered, reaffirming institutional commitment to safety norms and emergency protocols.

Across India, states and Union Territories have been instructed to conduct mock drills, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building exercises , along with district-level coordination to improve emergency response systems. Hospitals have also been asked to strengthen fire audits and compliance monitoring.

The initiative comes amid heightened concern following several recent hospital fire incidents in 2026, including a major blaze at SCB Medical College, Cuttack , where a short circuit-triggered ICU fire killed at least 10 patients and injured staff during evacuation . Investigations highlighted failures in sprinklers, alarms, and evacuation systems , raising concerns over systemic lapses in hospital safety.

Reports indicate that India continues to record thousands of fire incidents annually , with an estimated 13,000–15,000 fire-related deaths each year , many linked to electrical faults, poor maintenance, and overcrowding in buildings. Similar recent incidents in hospitals and public infrastructure have reinforced concerns over rising fire risks during peak summer months.

Officials said the week-long programme is also aligned with broader seasonal preparedness efforts, including heatwave response measures, to reduce risks to healthcare infrastructure.

The government has reiterated that the initiative is aimed at safeguarding patients, healthcare workers, and critical infrastructure by building a stronger culture of fire safety and preparedness across the health system.