Patients at VIMSAR in Burla experienced a three-hour power outage during chemotherapy treatment, which forced doctors to rely on mobile phone flashlights to provide care.
The outage, which lasted from 12 PM to 3 PM, occurred after the electricity department cut power without prior notice. This unexpected loss of electricity raised significant concerns about the hospital’s emergency preparedness.
Despite having a backup generator, it was not activated during the outage, leading to questions about the hospital’s management and readiness. This incident, which endangered vulnerable patients, has prompted calls for an investigation. It is worth noting that similar disruptions have occurred in the past, indicating broader systemic issues.
Hospital Superintendent Professor Lal Mohan Nayak stated that the electrician responsible for the situation would face appropriate consequences. He attributed the problem to a failure in communication and coordination. There are increasing questions about why the backup system was not utilized, especially considering the scheduled power cut for maintenance.
