Odisha government orders probe after 5 die in an hour at Koraput hospital

KORAPUT: Five deaths in Koraput’s Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College & Hospital within an hour on Tuesday sparked allegations of negligence and prompted Odisha to institute an inquiry. Hospital superintendent Susanta Sahu said all five were “critically ill”. The state government on Wednesday ordered an inquiry after six patients died at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput on Tuesday night and early on Wednesday. Shukra Majhi (45), Rukmani Penthia (47), Phulamati Majhi (50), Bati Khara (40) and Bhagaban Parija (36) died between 10 pm and 11 pm. Four deaths occurred in the intensive care unit (ICU), while Parija passed away in the general surgery ward. Jagannath Pujari (29), who was being treated for head injury, died at 3.33 am. All victims except Phulamati, who was from Kalahandi district, were residents of Koraput district. The deaths sparked outrage, with relatives alleging medical negligence. “My cousin was recovering after surgery in the ICU but died shortly after receiving an injection. We suspect he was administered the wrong one,” claimed a relative of Parija. Grieving families and locals staged protest on the hospital premises. SLNMCH superintendent Susanta Sahu denied allegations of negligence. “It’s a tragic coincidence, but there was no lapse in treatment or use of expired drugs,” he said.