Udala: Concerns over healthcare standards emerged at Udala Sub-Divisional Hospital in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district after a patient claimed he received expired medicine and possibly inappropriate treatment for a skin condition.
According to sources, Lawrence Khandei from Khaladi village under Udala police limits visited the hospital complaining of itching and skin sores. After consultation, he was prescribed medicines, including what he says was Clotrimazole lotion. Later that night, while preparing to apply the lotion, Khandei reportedly noticed that the medicine had already expired in December 2025. Shocked by the discovery, he alerted his family, who accused the hospital staff of gross negligence in dispensing drugs past their expiry date.
Khandei further alleged that he was given ear drops that had a similar composition instead of a suitable topical lotion for his skin infection, raising further questions about the appropriateness of the treatment.
Udala Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO), however, denied the allegations. He clarified that the disputed Clotrimazole lotion was not mentioned in the official prescription and claimed it was not issued by the hospital. Officials maintain that proper protocols are followed in dispensing medicines.
