13 health facilities sealed in Muzaffarpur for violation of fire safety norms

Patna: In a major crackdown on private nursing homes and health institutions operating near Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur district administration on Saturday sealed 13 health facilities for violation of fire safety norms following a fatal fire incident in the ICU of a private hospital on Thursday morning that claimed seven lives.

Five patients died on the day of the incident, one patient succumbed to injuries on Friday, while another—identified as a kidney patient who had gone for dialysis a day before the incident—died on Saturday due to burn injuries. Two more patients were reported to be in critical condition.

The sealing drive was carried out during a special inspection campaign led by sub-divisional officer (East) Tushar Kumar on the instructions of the district magistrate. Speaking over the phone, Kumar said 12 institutions were sealed on Saturday and one on Friday. He added that inspections would continue to ensure private health institutions comply with prescribed guidelines.

To prioritise patient safety and restore quality services in line with govt norms, the administration constituted three separate inspection teams. The teams inspected private hospitals, nursing homes and ultrasound centres operating in the SKMCH vicinity.

During inspections, several establishments were found to be non-compliant with govt standards, licensing requirements and provisions under clinical establishment rules. Officials said some facilities failed to produce mandatory documents, while irregularities in the delivery and management of health services were detected at multiple locations.

The sealed institutions include Balaji Health Care, Radius Health Care, Santosh Child Care Hospital, Asha Health Care, Shri Gangaram Emergency Hospital, Tirupati Nursing Home, Ayushman Health Care and Hospital, Samrat Hospital, S-S Hospital, Health Care and Hospital, Bhumi Child Care Hospital and Om Ultrasound.

The civil surgeon said adherence to prescribed standards is mandatory for all health service providers and that no compromise would be tolerated when it comes to patient life and safety.