HC seeks Govt response over lapses at SCB Medical College Hospital

Cuttack: Following a detailed report submitted by the Advocates’ Committee, the Orissa High Court has sought a reply from the state government on the alarming conditions prevailing in several departments of SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack. The report highlighted serious shortages in space, manpower, and basic infrastructure across multiple units of the hospital.

A two-judge bench of Justices S.K. Sahoo and V. Narasingh recently reviewed the report, which covered key departments including the burn unit, neonatal care unit (NCU), bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit, general medicine, cardiology, and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS).

The report revealed that the burn unit was operating in cramped conditions, raising serious concerns about the risk of infection, as most beds were kept in open space. In the NICU, two newborns were reportedly being placed in a single tray for observation and testing due to limited space and manpower.

Additionally, the gynaecology department had repeatedly requested authorities for improvements, but the report noted that no action had been taken.

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The High Court directed the state counsel to obtain instructions on the reported issues and scheduled the next hearing for November 13.