BASTAR: A devastating fire tore through the Kilepal community health center in the Bastanar block of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, causing severe damage. The blaze, which is believed to have been ignited by a short circuit, not only engulfed the health center’s storeroom but also reportedly gutted medicines worth lakhs and crucial files, raising serious concerns about fire safety in health centres.
The calamity unfolded when flames erupted within the confines of the health center’s storeroom, where vital medical supplies were stockpiled. As the fire rapidly consumed the medicines and other stored items, thick plumes of smoke engulfed the area, prompting nearby residents to alert the authorities immediately.
Local police, upon receiving the distress calls, rushed to the scene, and the fire brigade was summoned promptly. It took considerable effort for the fire brigade team to bring the blaze under control, marking a race against time to prevent further destruction. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with initial suspicions pointing towards a short circuit in the aging electrical wiring.
It is worth noting that the Kilepal community health center is located approximately 50 kilometers from Jagdalpur city. While no patients were injured in the incident, the 25 individuals undergoing treatment at the center were safely evacuated to the Tokapal health center for further care.
According to minimum standards, a Community Health Center (CHC) is expected to have a staff complement that includes four medical specialists, specifically a surgeon, physician, gynecologist, and pediatrician. Additionally, these specialists should be supported by a team of 21 paramedical and other staff members to effectively provide comprehensive healthcare services. Further, they must also adhere to fire safety norms as prescribed for health facilities.
This fire is not an isolated incident in the region. In the past, similar fires have erupted in CHCs due to short circuits, raising questions about the adequacy of fire safety measures. The electrical engineering department of the Public Works Department has been criticized for not proactively maintaining electrical systems in aging government buildings.
There is little clarity when the community health centre (CHC) will be repaired and operationalised again. Till that happens the people who rely on the CHC for their everyday medical needs would have to either postpone their treatment or trudge far to the next hospital in a nearby town.
