Odisha hospital fire: In the aftermath of the deadly blaze, which erupted at Odisha’s SCB Medical College and Hospital, killing 12 patients, the government suspended four officials on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the opposition parties intensified calls for accountability and demanded the resignation of state Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling. The death toll had mounted to 12 from the initial 10, as two more people succumbed to burns later. 

Fact-finding report leads to suspension

The government had ordered a judicial probe into the incident, which was led by the Development Commissioner. On the basis of the report’s findings, the authorities suspended Deputy Fire Officer Prakash Kumar Jena, Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera, Station Officer Abhinab Prusti, and Assistant Executive Engineer Ranjan Kumar Biswal. The officials were suspended in connection with serious lapses in safety mechanisms at the hospital. 

Notably, the blaze erupted inside the trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday, at around 2:30 am, where 23 critically ill patients were housed for treatment. Many who fell prey to the fire were fast asleep and were unable to escape as the flames engulfed the ward rapidly. 

During the rescue operation led by the police, fire-fighters and the hospital staff, several medical workers also sustained burns. State’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the kin of the persons who lost their lives in the incident, while Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi provided a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the victims. 

Odisha hospital fire: Safety measures under scrutiny

Investigations into the safety measures adopted by the hospital laid bare a cascade of failures, as the ICU’s automatic sprinkler system failed to activate due to its control valve being shut. Meanwhile, the smoke detection and fire alarm system had also been out of order for days. 

Incident triggers uproar in Odisha assembly

The tragic incident was raised in the assembly on Wednesday, where members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) disrupted proceedings, pressing for ministerial accountability. The Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, termed the incident an evidence of ‘crumbling safety standards’ and administrative negligence. 

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied the allegations, and accused the opposition of politicising the tragedy. Congress leader Ramachandra Kadam also echoed these concerns, and opined that expressions of grief alone were insufficient, asserting that systematic reforms were urgently needed to ensure the safety of patients.

Also read: Inferno erupts in ICU unit of Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital; 10 patients die