HC seeks report on power backup at Rajindra Hospital after halt in surgery

Chandigarh: After a video showing a power outage during a cancer patient’s surgery at Rajendra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala, went viral on social media, the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently acted on a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter and sought a clarification from the Punjab government regarding the availability of a backup power supply at the hospital.  

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a power outage in the operation theatre of Rajendra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala during a surgery has sparked a controversy after a viral video surfaced, showing a doctor expressing frustration and raising concerns about patient safety.

Also read- Power outage halts surgery at Patiala Hospital, sparks controversy

A video of a power outage during surgery at a Patiala government hospital in Punjab went viral on social media on Friday, giving an opportunity to the BJP to attack the AAP questioning its ''Delhi Health Model'' amid the Delhi Assembly Election, whereas the State Health Minister sought to downplay the incident.

In the video, a doctor was seen complaining about a power outage in the operation theatre of Rajendra Hospital during a surgery. The doctor is seen complaining that the emergency light was coming and going, and the ventilator went off. He asked who will be responsible if something goes wrong.

Following the incident, advocate Sunaina filed a public interest litigation (PIL), demanding strict measures to ensure that all government and semi-government hospitals in Punjab have reliable power supply, especially for critical areas such as emergency operation theatres. The plea also called for disciplinary action against the responsible authorities.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel has directed the state counsel to verify whether the hospital has a functioning power backup system and report the findings to the court. 

“The learned state counsel is directed to seek instructions from the relevant department or functionary of the state of Punjab as to whether any backup for electric supply is available at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala,” noted the court as reported by HT.  

The matter has been listed for the next hearing on February 6, 2025.

Also Read: Ensure Power Supply, Fire Safety Audit at Govt Hospitals: Punjab Health Minister