Engineers’ death during fitness test: OSSSC under fire, demand grows for mandatory medical screenings

On Monday, two job aspirants running to prove their physical fitness for government jobs passed away while undergoing the test. Prabin Kumar Panda from Rourkela and Byomokesh Nayak of Keonjhar were running 25km as part of their physical efficiency test conducted by OSSSC for recruitment to the posts of forest guards, foresters, and livestock inspectors. 

The issue of job aspirants undergoing fitness tests or physical assessments and subsequently suffering medical complications, including fatalities, has been a growing concern in many regions, including Odisha. 

Following the sudden deaths of the young aspirants, the Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) is under fire, with many questioning the commission about the timing of the physical test. Besides, the rising number of such incidents has highlighted the importance of mandatory medical screenings before physical fitness tests.

Also Read: Two OSSSC aspirants die during physical test; Odisha govt announces ex-gratia

Increasing number of deaths in Odisha: 

In Odisha, there have been some cases where aspirants have died during or after fitness tests for government jobs like police, army, or paramilitary forces or have suffered fatal medical incidents such as heart attacks, strokes, or other severe health complications. This is especially concerning as many of these deaths could have been prevented if proper medical screening had been there.

2022 Incident: In Bhubaneswar, an aspirant participating in a physical fitness test for the Odisha Police recruitment collapsed during a 5 km run and was later declared dead due to a heart attack. He was 28 years old and had no known history of heart disease.

2021 Incident: In Cuttack, a 30-year-old aspirant for the Odisha Police recruitment also collapsed during the fitness test, despite appearing to be in good health. Post-mortem reports indicated a sudden cardiac arrest, likely triggered by the intense physical exertion.

2019 Incident: A 25-year-old man in Berhampur collapsed during a physical endurance test for a paramilitary recruitment drive. He had a previously undiagnosed condition of hypertension, which went unnoticed until the fitness test triggered a fatal event.

Key Medical Concerns and Underlying Conditions:

Some of the medical conditions that can lead to fatal incidents during such fitness tests include:

Cardiovascular Issues: Many aspirants have undiagnosed heart conditions such as arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, or other cardiac abnormalities that become exacerbated during physical exertion.

Hypertension: High blood pressure can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, or organ failure under stress, especially if the individual engages in strenuous activity without any prior medical assessment.

Diabetes and Other Metabolic Disorders: People with undiagnosed diabetes or metabolic syndromes may experience sudden drops in blood sugar levels or complications related to their condition, leading to fainting or heart attacks.

Respiratory Problems: Conditions such as asthma or other undiagnosed lung conditions can also lead to fatal incidents, particularly when physical exertion triggers an attack.

Experts Call For Mandatory Medical Screening:

To prevent such fatalities, experts and medical practitioners have called for mandating medical screenings for all job aspirants before they undergo any fitness tests. Here are some of the reasons why this is important:

Identification of Hidden Health Issues: “Routine medical screenings can help detect hidden health problems that would not otherwise be apparent. Screening tests could include ECGs, blood pressure checks, basic blood work (to check for diabetes, cholesterol levels, etc.), and even stress tests for those above certain age thresholds or with any previous health concerns,” said a city-based doctor.

Preventive Measures: Screening can allow for preventive actions such as advising individuals on lifestyle changes, providing recommendations for medical treatment, or deferring certain aspirants from participating in high-stress activities until they have received appropriate medical care or clearance.

Avoiding Unnecessary Risk: “By screening applicants, authorities can ensure that those who have significant health risks are not exposed to the stress of strenuous physical tests, thus reducing the chances of fatal outcomes,” said another doctor.

Promoting Equity and Safety: It creates a more equitable system where aspirants are not forced to push their bodies to dangerous limits simply to compete for a job. Medical screening would level the playing field by ensuring that all candidates meet minimum health standards before testing their physical endurance.

Systemic Approach Can Save Lives:

A more systematic and preventive approach could save lives and prevent further tragedies. Here are some steps that can be taken to implement mandatory medical screening effectively:

Pre-screening Requirements for All Aspirants: Before allowing candidates to undergo any physical fitness tests, recruitment bodies should ensure that all applicants undergo a comprehensive medical examination that includes checking their blood pressure, heart health (ECG), respiratory function, and a basic assessment for chronic diseases like diabetes and kidney conditions.

Inclusion of a Health History Questionnaire: Along with physical exams, applicants should be asked to fill out a detailed health history questionnaire. This will allow medical professionals to better understand potential risk factors or past conditions, enabling them to make more informed decisions.

Post-Examination Protocols: In cases where candidates are found to have health concerns, they should either be provided with a clear medical pathway to improve their fitness or advised to opt for roles with less physical demand. Further, candidates with critical health risks should be temporarily or permanently disqualified from the physical tests to protect their health.

Success Stories from Other States:

States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu have already implemented basic pre-screening measures for candidates applying for physical tests in government jobs. In these regions, deaths and health complications during recruitment exams have significantly decreased after the introduction of mandatory medical exams. In Kerala, for example, pre-employment health screening became mandatory in 2018, leading to a noticeable reduction in health incidents during recruitment drives.