Berhampur, Oct. 21: The state-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital is ill-equipped to deal with an emergency fire situation such as the one at IMS and Sum Hospital that claimed 21 lives.

Though Orissa High Court had directed the state government in June to set up a fire sub-station on the MKCG premises, it is yet to come up.

Expressing concern following the fire at the cardiology department of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, in June, the high court had directed the state government to implement a slew of preventive measures in the three government medical colleges.

There is difference of opinion between MKCG authorities and fire officials over the fire sub-station site.

"We have identified the site and the building for the fire sub-station. We have selected the old building of the medical outpost situated near the medical college ground for the purpose. But, the fire department is not responding," said MKCG's administrative officer Jaya Narayan Kujur.

However, fire officer Bhabagrahi Ghadei said the identified building was not suitable for a fire sub-station. "We have identified a new site after a survey. We need a specific building plan with garage facility and we have forwarded the proposal to the government. The fire sub-station on the premises would start only after the government approves it and the works department finishes the construction of the building," said Ghadei.

"We had taken stock of the fire preparedness at the hospital in July. There were only 55 fire extinguishers and most of the staff members were not trained to use those," he said.

"There is not a single fire extinguisher in the departments of surgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, gynaecology and several other departments in the indoor building. The electrical wirings in many departments are old and many live wires have come out precariously. These may cause a major fire mishap," said Ram Kumar Patra, who had spearheaded many agitations in the past for MKCG patients.

MKCG superintendent Khetrabasi Subudhi admitted that the hospital was not fire-ready. "Fire extinguishers are only provided in the new buildings meant for indoor patients. We have identified a site to open a fire-sub station to facilitate fire service to all the departments," he said.

Ganjam collector Prem Chandra Chowdhary has asked all private nursing homes and hospitals to be ready with the "fire safety certificate" by November.

"I have asked owners of these institutions to verify their fire extinguishers and electrical equipment from the registered authorities. We will initiate stringent action against those who violate it," the collector said.

According to Ganjam's chief medical officer Manoj Behera, there are 80 licensed private nursing homes in Berhampur and the height of four of those are more than 30 feet.

"According to the existing guidelines, the owners of the private nursing homes with buildings more than 30 feet high are required to get their fire safety certificate from the fire officer. Others are required to get a licence from the health department after filing an affidavit in the court of law that they are equipped with the required measures," said Behera.