NationalSaturday, 4 July 2026·The Hindu - National
Centre orders fire safety audits in all hospitals by July 31, 2026
The Union Health Ministry has asked States and UTs to complete fire safety audits of all hospitals and upload them on IHIP by July 31, 2026.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed all States and Union Territories to complete fire safety audits of every public and private hospital by July 31 and upload the findings on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
Key specifics
- Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava issued the letter to all States and UTs.
- 4,083 secondary-level public and private hospitals had reported completion of fire safety audits on the IHIP portal during May.
- The ministry asked for monthly fire safety audits for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.
- High-risk areas named include ICUs, NICUs, nurseries and other critical care units.
- The updated National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities were also asked to be widely disseminated.
Exam lens
Governance and health administration question, key facts: July 31 deadline, IHIP portal, 4,083 hospitals, Punya Salila Srivastava, ICUs and NICUs. TNPSC may ask which ministry issued the special drive for hospital fire audits.