Bhubaneswar: Chemotherapy of cancer patients in the oncology department at VIMSAR, Burla was affected on Tuesday following a three-hour power cut. Attendants of patients claimed there was no power between noon and 3 pm, and even the diesel generator (DG) was not working. VIMSAR authorities have asked the staff responsible for ensuring uninterrupted power supply for an explanation.
“I was on intravenous drips when the electricity supply snapped. The whole chemotherapy room became dark. People were feeling uncomfortable inside the room as fan and air-conditioners (ACs) were not running. Nurses and paramedical staff helped patients by using their mobile phone torchlights. I want to know why the hospital failed to run the DG for power backup,” said a patient.
On Tuesday, the power distribution company was requested by VIMSAR’s general electrical division (GED) for repair and maintenance, and power was shut down as per their request from 12 noon to 3.30 pm. “Since it was not a general shutdown and only the power supply to VIMSAR was shut, officials of VIMSAR and GED should have communicated to all concerned in VIMSAR,” said an official of the company.
Hospital superintendent, VIMSAR Burla, Lal Mohan Nayak, said it all happened due to a miscommunication. “The power distribution company gave a requisition about the power cut to our GED. Our electrical staff forgot to communicate it to us about the power cut on Tuesday noon,” he added.
Usually, chemotherapy starts in the oncology department facility at 9.30 am or 10 am onwards. “When the electrical staff came around 12 noon, the process was continuing. They informed the staff at the facility about the power cut, and the latter asked the electricians not to do their work during OPD hours. But they did not wait. They disconnected power and stopped the DG fearing any power supply because of alternate current,” said Nayak.
He clarified that treatment was not affected during the power cut. “It is not a surgery or any emergency treatment. It was a daycare chemotherapy process. But people did face inconvenience due to lack of light and AC. We have asked for an explanation from our electrical and other staff. We will try to ensure that such incidents do not take place again,” he added.