Bhubaneswar, Oct 19 (IANS) Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday said a fresh advisory will be issued soon to all states so that incidents like Monday's Odisha hospital fire do not take place in future.
"Taking a cue from this incident, we will revisit the guidelines of the Clinical Establishments Act and make the provisions more stringent," Nadda told media persons after meeting the survivors undergoing treatment at various hospitals here.
He underlined the importance of making the system of management more comprehensive.
"We have to re-visit these issues and a fresh advisory will be issued soon to all states to avoid such incidents in future," he added.
He described the SUM Hospital fire incident, which claimed 21 lives, as "very shocking and saddening".
The toll has gone up to 21 with one more injured patient succumbing at AIIMS here.
"It is really very saddening, worrisome, shocking and painful. I have found some safety issues that led to the incident. The breach of safety measures need to be addressed," said the Union Minister.
Nadda stressed that the culprits should not be allowed to go scot-free.
"This incident is serious in nature. We are waiting for the inquiry report of the Divisional Commissioner (Revenue). The state government must ensure that culprits do not go scot-free so that people continue to repose faith in the medical system," said the Minister.
"Health being a state subject, the state government has to see that a protocol is set. They should be pro-active and react to such issues immediately," the Minister said,
