A shocking incident at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput has sparked outrage after five patients died within a short span of time on Tuesday night.
The sudden deaths have led to allegations of wrong injections, prompting the hospital authorities to order an internal investigation.
Several critically ill patients from various regions, including Koraput, Borigumma, Kalahandi, Semiliguda, and Machhara, were being treated in the ICU and surgery wards of a hospital. Suddenly, between 11 pm and half an hour later, three patients in the ICU—Shukra Majhi, Rukuni Pentia, and Phulamati Majhi—died. Shortly thereafter, two more patients, Bhagaban Parija and Bati Khara, who were in the general surgery ward, also passed away.
The agitation among the patients’ relatives prompted the local police to intervene. Family members claimed that the patients were stable following their operations in the ICU, and all three deaths occurred within 15 minutes of the night duty staff administering injections. They alleged that the fatalities were due to incorrect injections. However, no clarifications were provided regarding the deaths of the patients in the surgery ward.
In response to the families’ concerns, the police have seized the bodies of the three ICU patients and the two patients from the general ward. Despite the gravity of the situation, hospital authorities and the superintendent reported that an investigation was conducted into the night shift complaints and found no evidence of wrongdoing. The family members, however, strongly dispute these findings. Meanwhile, an internal investigation team has been established to uncover the truth.
The incident has led to protests outside the hospital, with grieving families demanding accountability. Police have been deployed to maintain order, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations to determine the exact cause of death.
SLNMCH, a key healthcare facility in southern Odisha, has faced criticism in the past over staff shortages and irregular medical protocols. The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns about the state of healthcare in the region.
