Six deaths in a night: Odisha Health Minister reaches Koraput hospital, probe on to assess medical negligence allegations

A full-scale investigation is now underway at the Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput after six patients died within a few hours, triggering outrage and raising serious concerns over possible medical negligence. Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling personally visited the hospital on Thursday to assess the situation on the ground.

Arriving in Koraput early today, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling held meetings with hospital authorities and questioned staff regarding the circumstances that led to the six back-to-back deaths in the ICU and general surgery wards.

"I want to understand exactly what happened here. Patient lives are paramount, and if there was negligence, strict action will follow," he told reporters during the visit.

Sources reported that the government has constituted multiple investigation teams, including one comprising five senior doctors from MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) and SCB Medical College (Cuttack), to conduct an independent probe on-site. Further, these experts began their ground inspection this morning.

Deaths Spark Panic and Protests

The tragedy unfolded between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning when six patients, three in the ICU and three in the general ward, passed away within a short time span.

Family members alleged that all the patients were administered a second round of injections late at night, after which their health rapidly deteriorated.

Following the deaths, grieving relatives staged protests inside the hospital premises, accusing doctors of negligence. The situation turned tense, prompting the deployment of police from the Koraput Town Police Station to restore order.

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Hospital Denies Wrong Injection but Admits Seriousness

While SLNMCH authorities denied that incorrect injections were administered, they acknowledged the severity of the incident.

Dr. Susanta Kumar Sahu, Superintendent of the hospital, in a press conference yesterday, stated that all patients were in critical condition when admitted.

Meanwhile, post-mortem examinations of all six deceased patients are being conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The hospital has also called a meeting of departmental heads to review medical protocols and treatment given to the patients.