Sum Hospital authorities declare Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia each to kin of deceased

Bhubaneswar: Authorities of the SUM Hospital here, where a major fire broke out on Monday evening claiming 20 lives, today began a damage control exercise with the announcement of Rs 5 lakh compensation each to family of deceased and suspension of four staff including the Fire Officer and Manager for dereliction of duties.

Talking to newsmen, Prof Amit Banerjee, Vice Chancellor of the Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA) University, which operates and affiliates the SUM Hospital, said, “The University has decided to provide Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to each family of 20 deceased and set up a helpline number for the purpose. Besides, our university will bear the treatment expenses of patients who have been shifted to other private hospitals due to the fire incident.”

He further stated, “We will extend full cooperation to the fact-finding team constituted by the state government to probe into the cause of the mishap.”

Also read:Sum Hospital fire mishap: Death toll mounts to 20

Notably, the State government has ordered the RDC, Central, and the DMET to conduct separate probe into the fire incident.

Banerjee added, “The ICU and Dialysis area zone, where the accident occurred, have been sealed. Patients are getting usual health services at the remaining departments of the hospital.”