Koraput: Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Thursday directed the fact-finding team, probing the death of six patients at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH), to submit a comprehensive report in 3 days.
The minister’s visit to the hospital, however, saw protests by locals amid allegations of medical negligence in the deaths. “I need a clear explanation of what occurred here. Patient safety is the top priority, and any negligence will result in strict action,” he told reporters.
On Tuesday, five patients died within an hour at SLNMCH. Shukra Majhi (45), Rukmani Penthia (47), Phulamati Majhi (50), Bati Khara (40), and Bhagaban Parija (36), died between 10 pm and 11 pm. Four among them were in the ICU, while Parija passed away in the general surgery ward. A sixth patient, Jagannath Pujari (29), being treated for a head injury, died at 3:33 am on Wednesday. All victims except Phulamati were from Koraput.
While the hospital authorities denied any lapse in medical care, allegations surfaced that the deceased patients were administered incorrect injections. Hospital superintendent Susanta Sahu stated that all five were critically ill and the ICU patients were administered Norepinephrine injection, which usually helps stabilise blood pressure.
Later, Director of Medical Education and Training Prof Santosh Mishra said a team, comprising senior doctors from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, and MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, has been constituted to probe into the allegations.
The Health Minister later tweeted about his visit and wrote: “Following yesterday’s sensitive incident, I visited the Shaheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput today and inquired about the health condition of the patients under treatment.”
“On the instructions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, a five-member investigation committee comprising senior medical experts of the state has been formed to probe this incident. Today, this expert investigation committee, along with the Dean and Principal of the Medical College, the Medical College Superintendent, the Koraput District Collector, the Koraput SP, and medical staff, held a review meeting to discuss the incident in detail. On this occasion, Koraput’s popular MLA Raghuram Macha and the Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhatra were present,” he added.
