Power failure during surgery sparks safety concerns at MKCG Hospital

Berhampur: MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur witnessed a major power disruption during an ongoing surgical procedure, raising serious concerns over infrastructure maintenance and patient safety at the premier government healthcare facility.

According to the news reports, a surgery was underway in the Surgery Department when a sudden power failure plunged the operating theatre into darkness, causing panic among doctors and support staff. Although power supply through the hospital’s generator system was restored shortly afterwards, electricity reportedly did not immediately reach the operating theatre, disrupting the procedure at a critical moment.

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Hospital sources have alleged that the UPS systems have not been properly maintained, leading to the unexpected failure. Responsibility for the maintenance of the UPS units and overall electrical infrastructure lies with the hospital’s General Electrical Division (GED). However, lapses in routine inspection, timely repairs, and preventive maintenance are being cited as the primary reasons behind the incident.

While no official response has been received from GED authorities, Professor Durga Madhab Satapathy, Superintendent of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, confirmed the power disruption. He stated that the incident was caused by a technical issue in the UPS system and assured that repair and maintenance work had already been initiated.

Speaking to Odisha TV, Satapathy said, “The doctors were preparing for surgery when the power went off. However, the power was restored using generators within around 1 minute and 6 seconds. We are now trying to repair the UPS systems. We have requested the concerned departments for their approvals”.

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