Barisal: More than six decades after its establishment, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Barisal has received its first-ever allocation for fire safety measures, marking a significant step toward improving patient and staff safety.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Ministry of Health recently approved a budget of Taka 10 lakh for fire extinguishing procedures at the hospital, which was established in 1964. Hospital authorities have already begun installing fire extinguishers across the campus, with plans to complete installation within the next seven days. Training programs for staff will follow.
For years, the absence of a dedicated fire safety arrangement raised concerns, especially as multiple fire incidents occurred without adequate preventive plan. In the past two years alone, at least nine fire incidents have been reported at the hospital, six of which were considered serious. Recent incidents have prompted the authorities to act more urgently.
Brigadier General Dr. AKM Mashiul Munir, Director of the hospital, said that despite repeated attempts, funding for fire safety had not been approved in previous budgets. “This time, although we did not receive it initially, the allocation came through the revised budget. We have already coordinated with the fire service regarding proper installation,” he said.
He added that alongside installing extinguishers, the hospital is working to reorganize its infrastructure to become more fire-resilient. However, he warned that certain risks remain, including highly flammable materials and smoke hazards, which can be more dangerous than flames in many cases.
The hospital, which has 52 units across 36 wards, is designed to accommodate around 1,000 patients daily. In reality, it serves nearly 3,000 inpatients along with their attendants, while an additional 5,000 patients receive outpatient care each day. With approximately 5,000 electrical points, the risk of fire remains a major concern.
Assistant Director Dr. AKM Nazmul Hasan confirmed that staff training will be conducted in phases in collaboration with the fire service. “After the training, drills will be organized so that staff can respond effectively in emergencies,” he said.
Hospital staff have welcomed the initiative. The entire hospital area is being divided into approximately 450 sections, with one fire extinguisher allocated for each section. Staff members emphasized that proper training is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.
One staff member, Sujan, said that the lack of training in the past hindered timely response during fire incidents. Others shared similar experiences, including injuries caused by improper handling of equipment during emergencies.
Staff have also raised concerns about maintenance, noting that some existing fire extinguishers have expired and require regular monitoring.
They called for mandatory training, particularly for nursing staff, to ensure preparedness.
With the new initiative, hospital authority and workers hope that future fire risks can be minimized and that emergency response capacity will significantly improve.