Unregistered nursing homes endanger lives in Delhi

By Kushan Niyogi and Saurav Gupta

Nursing Homes: Days after the horrifying hospital tragedy in the national capital which claimed lives of seven infants, Health Department data revealed that the registration verification of 859 nursing homes has lapsed. There are a total of 1037 nursing homes currently operational in the city. 

The data states that 566 of these nursing homes had elapsed their dates in 2023 itself. 

Also, out of the 66 Delhi government-run hospitals in the city, 33 did not get their Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) renewed, as per the official data accessed by the Patriot. FSC is crucial for ensuring compliance with fire safety standards. 

“These hospitals include Bara Hindu Rao Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Moolchand Hospital, Max Medcentre, Institute for Physically Disabled, Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, AIDS Diagnostic, National Chest Institute, Sunder Lal Jain Hospital, Gujarmal Modi Hospital and Research Centre, H. Jain Hospital and Maternity Home, Hans Hospital, Healing Touch Hospital,” the data stated.

“Apart from these, the other hospitals are Holy Angels Hospital, Khetrapal Hospital, Lifeline Hospital, Lions Hospital, MP Heart Centre, Mann Hospital, Muni Maya Ram Jain Hospital, NS Hospital, National Heart Institute, North Delhi Nursing Home, Palm Springs Hospital, Rajput Hospital, Roshanlal Bajaj Memorial Hospital, Sahi Hospital, South Point Hospital, Thapar Hospital, Tirath Ram Shah Hospital, Vasant Lok Hospital, Veeranwali Hospital, and Zed Hospital, which do not have a valid FSC,” the data indicated.  

Responding to the development, Delhi’s Health Minister, Saurabh Bhardwaj told Patriot, “I am very sorry to inform you that Secretary (Health) has yet not reported on duty, neither has any link officer yet reported to take his charge. In these situations, I am unable to provide the information as the same is available with the department and not available off-hand with me.”

According to information released by the Delhi Fire Services, 196 hospitals and nursing homes had their Fire Safety Certificates made since 2021. Accordingly, these FSCs have to be renewed after a period of three years, considering these are non-residential buildings. 

Fire incidents in Delhi surged by 138%

The number of fire incidents in the national capital more than doubled in May 2024 compared to the previous year, according to data accessed by Patriot. According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) data, the number of fire calls skyrocketed by 138.5% from 956 calls in May 2023 to a striking 2,280 calls in May 2024.

Also Read: Delhi sees over 138% spike in fire cases this month compared to May 2023

A total of 956 calls were received regarding fire incidents from May 1 to May 20 last year while this year, the department received a total of 2,280 calls during the same period.

The data came a day after a devastating fire in a neonatal hospital in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar claimed the lives of seven babies, while five others were injured and are currently undergoing treatment.

Also Read: LG suspends Delhi Health Minister’s OSD for involvement in illegal registration of nursing homes

Throwing light on the reasons behind such fire incidents, Atul Garg, Director of Delhi Fire Services, said, “In summer, the risk of fire increases significantly as short circuits occur when electrical wires or appliances overheat, leading to sparks or electrical arcs that can ignite nearby flammable materials. During summer months, high temperatures can strain electrical systems, causing wires to become overheated and more prone to short circuits.

“Last year, we were getting around 160 calls per day. However, in view of the soaring temperature in the city this year, the numbers of calls per day increased to 200,” Garg added.

Comparing the data of the first five months of 2023 and 2024 till May 20, in January this year, the number of fire calls increased by 2.8% from 1,171 to 1,204, while total calls decreased slightly by 2.5% from 2,567 to 2,502.

“February 2024 saw a 9.7% rise in fire calls from 941 to 1,032 and an 8.7% increase in total calls from 1,977 to 2,150. March 2024 recorded 1,328 fire calls, an 8.0% increase from 1,230, with a modest 2.4% rise in total calls from 2,425 to 2,483,” the DFS said.

“The most substantial increase occurred in April 2024, with fire calls rising by 40.9% from 1,672 to 2,357, and total calls jumping by 27.2% from 2,742 to 3,487. By May 20, 2024, fire calls had surged by 138.5% from 956 to 2,280, and total calls had risen by 80.5% from 1,748 to 3,156,” it stated.

“Fatalities showed a mixed trend: January 2024 saw a 33.3% increase in deaths from 12 to 16, while February experienced a dramatic 700% rise from 2 to 16. However, March 2024 had a 14.3% decrease in fatalities from 14 to 12, and April saw a 33.3% increase from 3 to 4. By May 20, 2024, deaths had decreased by 40% from 5 to 3,” the data stated.

“The number of individuals saved or injured in fires generally increased, with January 2024 seeing a 41.7% rise from 36 to 51, February a 7.7% increase from 39 to 42, March a 29.2% increase from 48 to 62, and April a significant 85.7% rise from 42 to 78. By May 20, 2024, the number of people saved or injured had surged by 308.3% from 12 to 49,” DFS data indicated.

“Animal rescues generally increased, with January 2024 seeing a 2.4% rise from 293 to 300, February a 12.1% increase from 224 to 251, March a 20.0% increase from 260 to 312, and April a 14.6% rise from 261 to 299. However, by May 20, 2024, the increase was modest at 2.9% from 174 to 179,” it added.

“In contrast, bird rescues showed a declining trend: January 2024 saw an 18.5% decrease from 308 to 251, February a 12.5% decrease from 257 to 225, March a 48.4% decrease from 374 to 193, and April a 31.9% decrease from 235 to 160. By May 20, 2024, bird rescues had dropped by 45.6% from 158 to 86,” the DFS data revealed.

Procedure for obtaining NOC from fire department 

To obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from DFS prior to construction, certain buildings —such as residential buildings over 15 metres, hotels over 12 metres, educational and institutional buildings over nine metres, all assembly buildings, and business buildings over 15 metres — must submit building plans. 

Also Read: Delhi LG orders ACB probe into registration of nursing homes after Vivek Vihar fire

These plans, after scrutiny by the local authority (MCD, NDMC, DDA), are forwarded to DFS with a completed common application form (CAF). The plans must include detailed architectural and safety system layouts. Fire and life safety provisions as per Rule 33 of DFS Rules 2010 must be followed, covering aspects like exits, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems. The Fire Prevention Wing of DFS examines the plans, and if compliant, returns a signed set to the local authority. Required documents include reference letters, layout plans, and safety system drawings.

Delhi’s hospital tragedy

On May 25, a suspected electrical fault led to the entirety of the hospital in Vivek Vihar being engulfed in flames. 

DFS chief Garg said that a possible “electrical fault” had led to the nursing home catching fire. The incident claimed lives of seven infants, while five were rushed to the hospital and are still undergoing treatment. 

The police said that initial investigation revealed that the hospital had elapsed their licenses on March 31, and it only permitted them to have five beds. 

“However, it was found that 12 babies were admitted in the facility at the time of incident. Moreover, it was reported that the doctors appointed were not qualified to treat newborns since they were BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree holders,” they added.

Police nabbed the facility’s owner, Dr Naveen Khichi, who was absconding during the fire, while another Dr Akash has also been arrested in relation to the case. The police also informed that the facility had only one entry and exit point. 

The DFS chief said that more could be saved if there was another point. On the other hand, reportedly, the presence of unchecked oxygen cylinder fill-up points had also helped in spreading the fire.

In view of the incident, Delhi Health Minister Bhardwaj said that fire safety equipment will be made compulsory in every hospital, irrespective of its size.