Relax fire safety norms for nursing homes: APMC

Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) Chairman Dr Y Raja Rao has urged the Cabinet Sub-Committee to relax norms for the renewal of fire safety certificate of nursing homes and small hospitals in the state.

Addressing newsmen at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Hall, on Tuesday, Dr Raja Rao said the fire safety norms for nursing homes and small hospitals should be relaxed to ensure their viability as strict adherence to the rules costs a lot and it is also very difficult in practice.

The Andhra Pradesh Nursing Homes Association (APNA) has already sent a memorandum to the Cabinet Sub-Committee urging it to consider the plea for relaxation of norms for the fire safety certificate renewal.

APNA general secretary Dr A Trimurthy Rao said the fire safety certificate renewal deadline expired on August 31. “No Objection Certificate from the Fire Services Department is a must for nursing homes to function.

Installation and maintenance of fire safety equipment in nursing homes will affect their viability as it involves a huge expenditure. The bed strength of a hospital and the vital parameters of a nursing home should be taken into consideration before levying taxes on them.

Otherwise, medicare will not be affordable to a majority of people. We are hopeful that the Cabinet Sub-Committee will consider our plea for relaxation of norms for the fire safety certificate renewal to ensure that quality medicare is affordable in the State,” he said.

APNA president Dr CSK Prasada Rao, AP Medical Council member Dr V Ramprasad and IMA Krishna district secretary Dr Ravindranath were also present. The renewal of fire safety certificate of 2,230 nursing homes and small hospitals in the state is due.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising ministers Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa, P Narayana, Kamineni Srinivas and Ganta Srinivasa Rao, is scheduled to meet on September 3 to look into the matter.