The devastating fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital’s Trauma Care ICU in Cuttack on March 16, 2026, claimed at least 10 lives, injured several hospital staff during rescue efforts, and highlighted critical safety concerns in Odisha’s healthcare system.
The blaze, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit, erupted in the early morning hours, affecting critically ill patients and prompting emergency evacuations.
Naveen Patnaik, Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister of Odisha, visited the hospital premises in the evening. Accompanied by Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh and other BJD leaders, he inspected the fire-affected ICU area, met with relocated and injured patients, and discussed their treatment with doctors.
କଟକ ଏସସିବି ମେଡିକାଲ କଲେଜରେ ଭୟଙ୍କର ଅଗ୍ନିକାଣ୍ଡରେ ୧୦ ଜଣଙ୍କର ପ୍ରାଣହାନୀ ଘଟିବା ଦେଖି ମୁଁ ମର୍ମାହତ। ଆହୁରି ମଧ୍ୟ ପାଞ୍ଚ ଜଣ ରୋଗୀ ଆହତ ହୋଇ ଚିକିତ୍ସାଧୀନ ଅଛନ୍ତି। ମୁଁ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ଯେ, ଡାକ୍ତରମାନେ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ସୁସ୍ଥ କରିବା ଦିଗରେ ଯଥା ସମ୍ଭବ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରୁଛନ୍ତି।
ଆମ ସରକାର ସମୟରେ, ଆମେ ଏହି ମେଡିକାଲ କଲେଜ ଏବଂ ହସ୍ପିଟାଲକୁ ଏକ… pic.twitter.com/wyk3QeYbyg
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 16, 2026
Expressing profound shock and sorrow over the tragedy, Patnaik described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and a grim example of the deteriorating state of healthcare infrastructure in the state. He highlighted that during the BJD government’s tenure, significant efforts were made to elevate SCB Medical College and Hospital to world-class standards. However, he accused the current BJP-led government of serious neglect in continuing development work, which he said contributed to such preventable disasters.
“Today’s incident is a tragic illustration of the crumbling health system in the state,” Patnaik stated from Bhubaneswar on March 16, 2026. He conveyed deep condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
