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Car Battery Sparks Punjab Hospital Inspection
21 Jul
Summary
- Hospitals to undergo inspection of emergency power backup systems.
- A car battery was used to start a backup generator during surgery.
- Government orders comprehensive review of hospital infrastructure.
An incident at Gidderbaha Civil Hospital in Muktsar district, where a patient's attendant's car battery was used to start a backup diesel generator (DG) set during an orthopaedic surgery, has prompted a statewide inspection of emergency power systems in Punjab's government hospitals. This event, occurring on July 12, highlighted critical lapses in emergency power backup reliability.
The directorate of health and family welfare communicated on July 16 that repeated hospital power failures are a 'serious concern' and mandated immediate corrective actions. Civil surgeons are now required to circulate DG set functioning SOPs, ensure strict adherence during inspections, and submit compliance reports within seven days to the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC).
Beyond DG sets, the Punjab Health Systems Corporation has formed inspection committees to assess broader infrastructure gaps. These committees will review power backup systems, UPS, electrical wiring, water supply, medical gas pipelines, and fire safety mechanisms. Detailed repair and upgrade estimates are to be submitted within seven days, covering district, sub-divisional, and community health centers across Punjab.
