National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026) launched to enhance hospital safety

Key facts

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched a nationwide Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10 to strengthen fire prevention and response systems in healthcare facilities.
• Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurated the initiative under the theme Fire Safety in Health Facilities and released the National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026).
• The new guidelines introduce stricter safety protocols for high-risk zones including Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Neonatal and Pediatric ICUs (NICUs/PICUs), and operation theatres.
• States and institutions are required to upload fire safety audit details on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) to ensure continuous monitoring and compliance.
• Over 50,000 participants have completed fire safety training courses through government platforms, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) planning further regional preparedness programmes.