The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday asked the state government to take concrete steps to make medical facilities fireproof.
"The recent fire incident at Lal Ded Maternity Hospital, followed by the fire incident at Bone and Joints Hospital on Saturday, reflects a pattern. There is a general perception that our hospital buildings are not safe for the patients, staff and the attendants," CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami said.
Tarigami, who represents Kulgam constituency in the Kashmir assembly, said, "There were no causalities this time, but sometimes, such incidents can prove catastrophic. Incidents like these do not only warrant an official inquiry to know the cause, but should also act as an eye-opener for the government, so it would immediately take steps to make hospital buildings fireproof."
He said there was an urgent need to install internal fire safety mechanisms in all hospital buildings, and the old electric wiring in these buildings should be replaced and measures taken to rectify loopholes.