Paradoxically, the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) faces the threat of fire. After two inspections in 2017, the building was included in a list of buildings, facing threats from fire related mishaps by the fire service.
Several safety recommendations made at that time were not implemented.
Each floor has a few extinguishers but their date expired in 2016. The hydrant hose reel boxes are also empty.
Coordinator of the Burn and Plastic Surgery Department, Dr. Samanta Lal Sen told Bangla Tribune: “We have adequate number of extinguishers and other equipment.”
High risk practices of patients placed just outside the power unit on the fifth floor were also noticed during the survey.
In 2017, the fire department carried out two surveys from 12 January to 12 November and made a list of hospitals, clinics that are at risk.
Later, 172 hospitals were termed ‘highly risky’, 249 as ‘risky’ and 11 were given ‘satisfactory’ nods.
Burn and Plastic Unit of Dhaka Medical College is among ‘high risk’ establishments.
Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, Maj A K M Shakil Newaz, said: “So far, three warnings were given.”
On 17 May, 2016, a fire incident broke out at Dhaka Medical College Burn Unit due to a short circuit which the fire service controlled.
Special staff of the Burn Unit, Habil, told Bangla Tribune: “Fifty staff members have been given special training in operating fire extinguishers.”
All Ansar members are also given training to tackle fire related accidents.
Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, brigadier A K M Nasiruddin said: We have two types of fire safety features: CO2 and dry powder fire extinguishers.
All the building have them which are changed before their date expires, he said.
“The other is the hydrant system, but some of the machines related to the hydrant need to be replaced soon.”
We have talked to the fire service about setting up a satellite fire station which will have a fire fighting car plus a team of 5/6 people.
Scattered around the hospital, the men will be able to act fast in case of an emergency, he added.