Latest news with #LokNayak
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi taps PPP mode for diagnostic upgrade in state-run hospitals
New Delhi: Delhi govt has decided to hire a consultant to work out the modalities for commissioning and operating radiological diagnostic services at state-run hospitals on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Officials said the consultant will visit the selected hospitals to assess the approach, location and connectivity, evaluate the population served, demand for radiological diagnostics, assess the volume and variety of services being offered by labs in the vicinity, and identify the service gaps that PPP could help address. The consultant will also carry out a financial analysis of the project and will help in the legal onboarding of the concessionaire. With the state-run hospitals abysmally short of diagnostic facilities, the Delhi cabinet decided last month to install Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT scan, and ultrasound machines on a PPP basis. Of the 35 hospitals run by Delhi govt, only three — Lok Nayak, GB Pant and Indira Gandhi Hospital — are equipped with MRI machines. Similarly, ultrasound and CT scan machines are not available in all hospitals. The waiting time at these facilities goes up to several months. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Patients seeking treatment at other hospitals are forced to either wait for diagnostic tests or pay huge costs out of their own pocket for radiological imaging in private centres. In case of a malfunction, repairing the machines also takes a lot of time. "The health and family welfare department has decided to expand and enhance diagnostic services across its health facilities. For achieving this, radiological diagnostic labs with CT scan, MRI and ultrasound machines will be set up in select govt hospitals for providing quality services onsite at affordable user charges on a PPP mode," said an official. A Delhi govt official said the consultant, or the transaction advisor, will assist in selecting credible private partners for operating and maintaining the services. "From preparing and submitting the inception report, which will serve as the core document for all activities related to the scope of services, to working out an integrated plan that covers detailed tasks and activities, and a resource deployment strategy, the transaction advisor will help at every stage," the official said. A crucial task, said an official, to be assigned to the advisor is the financial analysis of the project. He added that the consultant will look into capital and operational expenditure estimates and revenue, will carry out cash flow analysis, analyse business models, requirement of the viability gap funding and other parameters. "Commercial arrangements, profit and cost sharing, identifying potential risks in the PPP model, including operational, financial risks, and developing a risk mitigation strategy will be done by the consultant," said an official.
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Police HQ, LNJP Hospital denied fire safety clearance
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has denied fire safety certificate (FSC) renewals to two major public buildings this month — the Delhi Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Marg and Lok Nayak Hospital near Delhi Gate — citing violations of prescribed fire safety norms. This is the first time the Delhi Police HQ has been denied a fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC), while Lok Nayak's application has been turned down twice this year after inspections revealed multiple lapses. The denials come amid heightened scrutiny of fire preparedness in public institutions, following a spate of hospital and industrial fires earlier this year. As reported by Hindustan Times on May 22, the DFS had also rejected FSC renewals for Ambedkar Nagar Hospital, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, and two AIIMS blocks. Under the Delhi Fire Services Rules, 2010, public and commercial buildings must renew their fire clearance every three years. DFS officials said inspections were carried out meticulously, and notices with rectification advice were sent to both the police and hospital administrations. Once the deficiencies are addressed, fresh inspections can be requested in the coming days or months. Flagship police HQ fails fire audit The Delhi Police Headquarters, a 17-storey twin-tower complex inaugurated in 2019 by Union home minister Amit Shah, is the force's first purpose-built headquarters after decades in rented buildings. Located on an 8-acre plot near Connaught Place, it houses the offices of the commissioner, special commissioners, control rooms, social media and surveillance units, and critical intelligence wings. In May, DFS officials, along with Delhi Police staff, carried out an inspection in response to a renewal request submitted on April 21. A detailed report dated June 5 flagged at least five major deficiencies, most notably the replacement of mandated fire check doors on the 17th floor with ordinary glass doors, and the removal of door closers — a combination that compromised the lift lobby's pressurization system. 'Fire check door has been replaced with normal glass door at the 17th floor and door closers also found removed… which make the pressurization ineffective,' the report noted. It also cited the absence of a reception at the lift lobby and non-functional smoke detectors at several locations, significantly weakening emergency preparedness. 'These lapses directly affect the containment of smoke and fire in an emergency,' said a senior DFS official. 'A high-rise like the police HQ must meet the highest standards — anything less is a risk to life and property.' Responding to the denial of fire safety clearance, a Delhi Police spokesperson said the issues raised were 'minor errors which are being rectified', and confirmed that corrective work was already underway. 'There's no permanent denial. It's only a report on what all needs to be fixed,' the officer added. Persistent lapses at Lok Nayak Hospital The Lok Nayak Hospital, one of the Capital's busiest government-run facilities, fared worse in fire inspections. It first applied for FSC renewal in March-April this year, but was denied in April due to non-compliance. A second application submitted in May was rejected on May 30, following another round of inspections that found persistent and, in some cases, worsening deficiencies. DFS officials said their inspection uncovered lapses across the casualty OPD, surgical block, ortho block, and new special ward — with some violations posing 'serious threats' to patient and staff safety. In the surgical block and casualty OPD, access roads needed for fire tender movement were either inadequately marked or obstructed by construction material. A staircase in the surgical block was found blocked by waste and debris — a major evacuation hazard in case of fire. Fire hoses and branches were missing from hydrant boxes, while on some floors, firefighting systems had been deactivated due to ongoing renovations. In the ortho block, access roads were obstructed by parked vehicles and encroachments. Overgrown trees further impeded movement, fire officials said. The inspection report also recorded non-functional fire detection and manual call point (MCP) systems, diesel pump engines not in auto mode, and missing fireman switches in hospital lifts — all essential components for early response in case of fire. In the new special ward, officials found missing or incomplete hydrant boxes and door closers. Several areas were undergoing civil work without adequate fire safety backup, the DFS noted. 'These are not just technicalities — these lapses could prove fatal in a real emergency,' said a senior fire official. 'Hospitals must remain operationally safe even during renovations. That's a basic regulatory expectation.' Repeated attempts to reach the Lok Nayak Hospital administration for a statement were unsuccessful. Calls and messages went unanswered. Institutional apathy or systemic lag? Fire safety experts and public health advocates say the spate of FSC denials reflects a deeper structural problem — lack of routine compliance and inadequate investment in fire infrastructure. 'Institutional apathy is a real issue,' said one former DFS chief, adding that while inspections are becoming more rigorous, many public buildings still treat fire audits as a formality. 'There's also a shortage of trained fire safety officers in many institutions, which leads to poor maintenance and reactive compliance.' A senior government official who oversees urban safety policy acknowledged that delays in budget approvals and lack of coordination between departments often slow down fire preparedness upgrades in public buildings. 'There's also the issue of legacy buildings that were constructed decades ago without modern fire planning,' the official said. 'Retrofitting them is time-consuming and expensive — but unavoidable.' The DFS, meanwhile, has begun increasing scrutiny of FSC applications, with more stringent inspections and cross-verification. Officials said they plan to re-inspect several hospitals and police buildings over the next few months and have issued advisories to all major government institutions. 'If even the Capital's most high-profile public buildings cannot maintain basic fire safety, that's a serious red flag,' said a fire safety consultant. 'This isn't just about paperwork — it's about whether public institutions can protect lives.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Time of India
3 incidents in 4 yrs raise concern over H'bag detention centre security
1 2 Hazaribag: The escape of three Bangladeshi nationals from a detention centre located on the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Central Jail premises in Hazaribag on Monday morning has raised concern about its security, as two similar incidents occurred in the past. The three persons have, however, been arrested on Tuesday morning. The centre comprising two rooms is dilapidated, with the roof of the building made of asbestos sheets. For external security, barbed wire is installed on the boundary walls. Foreign nationals are kept in these two rooms, while security personnel are deployed in the verandah of the building. A total of four were in the centre, but three escaped. Jail officials said the superintendent of police monitors the security and maintenance of the detention centre, and security personnel are deputed from the district police force. According to the information, the in-charge of the detention centre is a policeman of the rank of a havildar. The district administration deployed six policemen for the security of the Bangladeshis living in the Hazaribag detention centre, and now all six have been suspended. Among them, there were three female security personnel and three men. It is reported that the security personnel closed the door of the detention centre room from outside and slept in the verandah. However, when they woke up and opened the door of the room on Monday morning, the three Bangladeshis were missing. The history of foreign nationals escaping from the detention centre is old. Earlier, three foreign nationals escaped from here. Hazaribag police have not found any of them till date. On March 8, 2021, Jahid Hussain and Md Javed alias Md Noor escaped by breaking the window of the detention centre. An FIR was registered in this regard at Lohsinghana police station. On Sept 13, 2021, a foreign national lodged in the detention centre escaped. The police have not succeeded in finding him either. Officials of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Central Jail said that illegal foreign citizens are kept in detention centres. Under Section 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act of India, the central govt has the right to expel any illegal citizen from the country. During the process of deportation, such people are kept in these detention centres. In fact, those who do not have documents to stay in the country are kept here and sent back to their country. In the case of the three who escaped, they also completed their sentence. No effort was being made by the Bangladesh govt to bring them back to the country, added jail sources. Therefore, all of them were kept in the detention centre of Hazaribag. Hazaribag SP Anjani Anjan said earlier such incidents occurred at this detention centre. He said, "The three escaped by making their way through the barbed wire on the boundary walls. We are assessing the condition and security of the centre and will take all possible steps to make the security foolproof soon." He added that it was the responsibility of the six jawans deployed there to guard the centre. "All six were suspended due to negligence," he said.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi hospitals told to paint ‘red cross' on rooftops
The Delhi government on Friday directed its hospitals to implement emergency preparedness measures, including prominently marking their rooftops with the Red Cross symbol, increasing their medicine stocks, ensuring backup power systems are operational, and clearing basements to serve as makeshift shelters amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The directions were issued by the Delhi health department in an official order on Friday, accessed by HT, instructing all 38 Delhi government-run hospitals to urgently carry out a set of precautionary actions. Among the most visible of these measures is the requirement to paint the roofs of all hospitals with the Red Cross emblem, a move aimed at protecting healthcare facilities during potential aerial attacks by identifying them as protected sites under international humanitarian law. Hospitals have been also asked to give updates the progress of the painting work, the officials cited above said. Out of Delhi's 38 government hospitals, around 25—including Lok Nayak, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, GTB, and Indira Gandhi Hospital—confirmed by Friday evening that they had begun painting their rooftops, while some informed authorities that they had requested the Public Works Department (PWD) to undertake the task. The department also asked hospitals to submit updated inventories of essential medicines, verify the functionality of their generators (GENSETS), and finalise a Hospital Disaster Management Plan. Each hospital has been directed to conduct a mock drill by Saturday, March 10, to test readiness. Some, like Lok Nayak and GTB, began staff briefings on Friday in preparation. 'Lok Nayak is conducting mock drill training for our hospital along with GB Pant and Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC),' said Dr Ritu Saxena, chief medical officer at Lok Nayak and disaster management expert. All hospitals have been issued detailed Hospital Safety & Disaster Preparedness guidelines authored by Dr Saxena. These guidelines advise citizens to familiarise themselves with air raid sirens—long wails indicate an alert, while short bursts mean all-clear—and identify shelter areas such as basements and underground car parks. During drills or actual alerts, all outdoor activity must stop immediately, and people should calmly move to designated shelters. Hospitals have been specifically asked to adopt a 'Contingency Planning' strategy to utilise cleared-out basements for shelter and evacuation purposes. 'Hospitals must be clearly marked with the Red Cross, Red Crescent, or Red Crystal symbols to benefit from the protection provided under international humanitarian law,' the guidelines note. Additionally, the government on Thursday asked hospitals to ensure fire safety measures, including ensuring the availability of fire extinguishers, without exception. Hospitals are required to report on the adequacy of their existing manpower – especially in emergency care roles such as surgeons, anaesthetists, orthopaedicians, and burn specialists. Data has also been sought on ICU bed availability, operational ventilators, and oxygen supplies. Nodal officers responsible for trauma and emergency response must also be identified with their contact information. To ensure full mobilisation, the Delhi government on Thursday cancelled all leave for doctors in government hospitals. The order was reiterated on Friday with fresh instructions from hospital authorities directing all doctors currently on leave to return to duty. 'I had applied for leave and was on my way to catch the train at 11.30pm on Friday night to go to my hometown in Bikaner. However, soon after I was told on Friday night to cancel my leave, I got my tickets canceled. A fresh order was issued by the hospital informing us that leaves for all doctors have been canceled till further orders,' said Inayat Ali, nursing officer from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. Medical superintendents and directors have been told to submit compliance reports on an urgent basis.
The Print
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Print
Code Yellow—inside a mock drill at Delhi's RML Hospital
Hospital staff are ready with stretchers, and doctors on the spot to treat the patients who were taken inside and divided in four groups through a process called triage where patients are categorised based on the severity of illness or injury and the availability of resources. 'Code Yellow' in a hospital setting indicates an internal emergency or a disaster situation. The doctors on duty at one of the city's busiest hospitals rushed to the emergency centre. Outside, blaring ambulances bring patients. Each has three patients. New Delhi: 'All doctors assemble, all doctors assemble!'—announced the speakers at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital around 4 pm Wednesday, declaring a 'Code Yellow' as part of a nation-wide mock drill to prepare the population at large for any hostile scenario in view of the escalating tensions with Pakistan. Similar drills were conducted at other hospitals and other establishments such as markets, government infrastructure, airports and community buildings. The exercise aimed at training civilians on how to respond to situations like hostile attacks, blackouts or when an air-raid warning is issued. The mock drills across the cities are being carried out under the Civil Defence Act of 1968. This is the first time since the 1971 Bangladesh war that such largescale drill was conducted across the country. Across the country, 244 civil defence districts were identified for the drill. In Delhi, sirens blared at 55 locations including the Khan Market, the NDMC building and the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The patients brought to the RML Hospital as part of the drill were first attended to by the group of doctors at the receiving area of emergency, who put coloured bands on their wrists. The green tag meant no immediate action was required while yellow indicated minor injuries. However, the patients with red bands were sent to critical care assessment. The black band declared death. The mock drill at RML Hospital involved 21 patients, each with different injuries and issues. One person with chest injury, another with leg fracture. Doctors from different departments attended to the patients. The RML and the Lok Nayak hospitals have around 1,600 beds each. Speaking to ThePrint, RML Hospital Medical Superintendent Ajay Shukla said this situation is not like other disasters. 'We do not know how many beds we would need. However, we are prepared for the worst. This will not affect the regular patients, because we have a different team of doctors and nurses deployed for Code Yellow.' He also directed the doctors not to leave the city without his permission. LNJP Hospital The mock drill here lasted around 20 minutes. LNJP Chief Medical Officer Anuj Kumar said, 'We currently have 50 beds in emergency, we will increase it depending on the number of patients.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Mock drills to 'Code Brown' prep, how Delhi NCR hospitals are bracing for potential emergencies
