Ceiling collapses in haematology department of SCB Medical College, no injuries

Cuttack: In a shocking incident, a portion of the ceiling collapsed inside the haematology department of SCB Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday night, raising fresh concerns over patient safety and infrastructure maintenance at one of Odisha’s premier government healthcare facilities. 

As per the news reports, the incident occurred inside a patient toilet within the department. No injuries or casualties were reported, as the area was unoccupied at the time of the collapse. However, the incident has triggered concern among patients and attendants.

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Patients attributed the incident to gross negligence on the part of the hospital authorities in inspecting the structural condition of hospital buildings and carrying out required maintenance work. “Though the ceiling was in a vulnerable condition, the hospital authorities did not bother to get it repaired,” said a patient’s relative, reports TNIE.

This is not an isolated case at SCB Medical College and Hospital. On January 7 earlier this year, an elderly patient reportedly sustained head injuries after a portion of the roof collapsed in the old medicine ward. 

Local activists have also expressed concern, linking the latest incident to broader lapses in structural inspection and upkeep. A city-based local activist said that the latest incident had come close on the heels of the deadly fire tragedy at the trauma care ICU, which had claimed around 12 lives, while raising questions over the safety protocols at the facility and the standard of maintenance work.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a major fire broke out at the Trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Odisha's government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Bhubaneswar, claiming the lives of 10 people. Eleven hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.

The incident has also exposed confusion over responsibility for maintenance. A senior engineer from the Roads and Buildings division stated that toilet and bathroom maintenance falls under the jurisdiction of WATCO Cuttack Division.

However, General Manager, WATCO, Cuttack division, Baishnab Bhusan Behera, said any type of construction is not part of their work. “Our work is confined to water supply only. I shall speak to the hospital authorities as well as the SE, R&B, and go for a joint inspection of the structural condition of all toilets and bathrooms at the hospital,” said Behera, reports TNIE.

Hospital authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the cause of the ceiling collapse. Meanwhile, demands are growing for an immediate structural audit and urgent remedial measures to ensure patient safety and prevent recurrence of such incidents, reports Odisha TV.

Also Read:Fire at Cuttack Hospital ICU: 10 patients killed, 11 staff injured