Dhenkanal: After being hauled over coals from different quarters for two patients committing suicide by jumping off the Dhenkanal district headquarters hospital building, the Health Department has finally woken up to take steps to ensure similar incidents are not repeated.
The Department officials convened a special meeting Saturday to find out ways to deal with the situation after the Friday incident wherein a patient — identified as Tuna Behera — committed suicide by jumping off the sixth floor of the hospital building.
“It has been decided that all the open windows will be covered with metal grills and the PWD has been intimated about this. The security staffs have been asked to be more vigil to thwart any future suicidal attempts,” said Chief District Medical Officer Niranjan Mishra.
“As the model code of conduct is in force, it is not possible on our part to take immediate steps. Process for floating tenders to strength the hospital’s security system will be initiated after the model code of conduct is lifted,” he added.
All the interlocutors present in the meeting laid stress on first priority of patients’ safety. Besides, the officials reprimanded the 18 security staffs engaged at the hospital for their laxity and asked them to be more serious with their duties.
PNN
