Bhubaneswar: The state government Tuesday registered an FIR against SUM Hospital for negligence and violation of various norms in the wake of the tragic fire mishap which claimed 23 lives Monday.
The gutted portions of the private medical facility were sealed Monday ahead of the start of a multi-pronged probe.
“An FIR has been registered with Khandagiri police by DMET against the hospital for its negligence and violation of evacuation and other statutory norms issued by the health department from time to time,” said health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
According to Nayak, the move followed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s order for an RDC probe into the mishap Monday night. The health department had also formed a joint enquiry committee comprising Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET), Khurda collector and fire safety officers to probe the incident.
“We hope police will take necessary steps in this regard,” Nayak said. According to sources, the fire department has also lodged an FIR against the hospital while the student wing of the Congress lodged an FIR against its founder Manoj Nayak.
Meanwhile, the burnt portions of the hospital have been sealed to allow seamless probe by various agencies. “The Intensive Care Unit and dialysis unit of the fire-hit medical facility have been sealed to ensure a proper investigation,” health secretary Arti Ahuja said after a visit to the hospital Tuesday.
A control room to be overseen by additional mission director of National Health Mission and joint director in-charge of medical education and training was set up Tuesday to monitor the treatment of patients currently undergoing treatment in private and government hospitals.
“The control room will obtain hourly information on patients from concerned hospitals and ensure that no patient is charged for their treatment,” Ahuja said.
“In case of deaths, all arrangements should be made for transportation of bodies to the district/place of their residence or Puri Swargadwar,” said a health department order. While hospitals where the injured were admitted Monday night put the combined toll at 23, official sources put it at 20.
The health secretary said 14 and five bodies were received at Capital Hospital and AMRI respectively while a spokesman of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar said one death was reported at their facility.
“Around 30 patients were admitted to AIIMS and all facilities are being provided to them. The Centre and state government officials are in contact with us,” the AIIMS spokes person said. Over 150 patients were evacuated following the blaze Monday night while 106 are now undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the city.
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