Officials Ignored Electrical Safety at Hospitals

Adilabad: The death of three infants at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad has also drawn attention to the poor maintenance of electrical systems and air-conditioning equipment at the hospital.

According to sources, air conditioners in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) had been malfunctioning for about five months and that concerns about repairs and replacement had previously been brought to the attention of senior hospital authorities. A senior doctor said the SNCU was housed in an old building, which was renovated in 2012 and that its electrical wiring might be old. “It required regular inspections and repairs,” the doctor said.

He said its electrical system required regular inspection and repair, but contractors carried out inadequate routine maintenance. “Contractors neglected routine maintenance and undertook only perfunctory electrical repairs before summer.”

Hanging electrical wires, exposed electrical joints and malfunctioned switches can be seen at several places in the hospital. “Many electrical switches do not function, forcing the attendants of the patients to undertake repairs during emergencies,” the sources added.

The incident also renewed wider concerns about electrical and fire safety in hospitals, where intensive-care equipment, air-conditioning systems and other electrical equipment, operate for extended periods.

Though the cause of the accident was not determined officially yet, several other fire accidents involving air-conditioners pointed at the outdated electric wiring of the old buildings which could not take higher load capacity.

According to the Fire and Security Association of India (FSAI), nearly 60 per cent of reported fire incidents in India were linked to electrical faults. “Most fire accidents reportedly occurred in old buildings having sub-optimal internal wiring,” said Manoj Wahi, the president of FSAI Hyderabad Chapter, at an event in June.