Nearly 3 years after a PIL was filed in 2015, the directorate of medical education (DME) in Tamil Nadu has finally decided to conduct inspections in medical college hospitals to check for safety measures. In the first phase, 1800 hospitals including 285 in Chennai were inspected, according to The Hindu.

The inspections of the one-storey buildings with in-patient services that was conducted by DME has come after a public interest litigation filed by social activist Jawaharlal Shanmugam. The petitioner had expressed concerns over absence of ramps in hospitals for patient evacuation during a disaster.

Officials from the DME are checking for safety provisions, ramps and disaster management plans in private hospitals in Tamil Nadu.

Following the inspection, which is being carried in association with the State’s Fire and Emergency Services and public works department, the team would submit a set of recommendations.

All 15 self-financing colleges and the 10 deemed medical universities in the State would be inspected, a DME official told The Hindu, and the process is due to be completed by January 25.

Having examined the government medical colleges, the DME has sought Rs 50 crore for the installation of ramps and ensure that other safety measures are put in place.

The inspections would look into shortcomings both in the infrastructure and equipment. These would include examining the setback area, evacuation zones, easy approach to roads, staircases, lifts and ramps would be looked at, along with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers, emergency exits in floor plans, signage and other facilities.

A report of the inspection will be presented to an expert committee in a meeting expected to be held in the third week of January, The Hindu reports.