India''s apex body for disaster management is preparing "mandatory" guidelines for hospitals that will cover fire and other emergency hazards, after a major tragedy struck a private super speciality medical centre in Kolkata killing over 90 people last week. A core group would be constituted next week that would decide the guidelines for hospitals that would "cover fire and all other hazards", a National Disaster Management Authority spokesperson told IANS. The NDMA had in the past issued guidelines for medical preparedness and mass casualty management "but it largely dealt with preparedness of hospitals to deal with disasters outside the hospital", the spokesperson told IANS. The official said a meeting of NDMA officials was held Friday evening and after a brain-storming session with different officers and experts it was decided to prepare guidelines for hospital safety and preparedness to deal with on-site emergencies. To know more visit: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-12-17/news/30528851_1_ndma-hospital-safety-corporate-hospitals