Odisha fire: Hospital did not have accreditation, health minister to take stock

Bhubaneshwar: Union Health Minister J P Nadda and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will arrive in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to take stock of the fire tragedy at SUM hospital that has claimed 19 lives.

According to an Indian Express report, the hospital lost its accreditation two months ago with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers.

On the basis of the preliminary fact-finding report, Odisha government on Tuesday filed two criminal cases alleging negligence in conduct and safety against the hospital and initiated administrative inquiries into the mishap.

The Bhubaneswar Commissionerate police have arrested four hospital staff on charges of negligence in conduct and safety.

Nadda is scheduled to visit the AIIMS to oversee the treatment of the injured and will hold a review meeting with the central and state government officers and AIIMS authorities.

The Odisha Human Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case over the fire accident and served notices to the state Health Secretary and Director General (Fire Services) to submit a report within three weeks.

Some patients, who were shifted from SUM Hospital to other hospitals in Bhubaneswar after the fire mishap, are said to be in critical condition and fighting for their life at the ICUs.