Bhubaneswar: A private hospital in Baramunda area in the Smart City was sealed by the authorities of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday. The decision to close down the private hospital was taken after BMC allegedly detected gross violation of COVID-19 guidelines.
“The hospital has been sealed for violation of lockdown measures and directives issued for COVID-19 management as per the provisions under Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, section 188 of IPC, the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and other legal provisions,” the BMC notice read.
Rabi Narayan Jethy, Zonal Deputy Commissioner (South West) of BMC said a notice was earlier served based on some lapses found by a BMC technical team. The hospital authorities were asked to rectify and comply with the norms. But as no steps were taken by the officials of the private hospital, orders were issued to seal the establishment, he added.
“As there are some indoor patients, we have issued a closure notice. Once the patients are discharged, the hospital will be sealed. If the hospital authorities comply with the norms and approach us, subsequent steps in this regard will be taken,” Jethy added.
BMC officials said that a 17-point SOP was provided to all private hospitals and nursing homes for better COVID-19 management. Surprise inspections are being conducted in various private hospitals to ensure that they follow the prescribed COVID-19 guidelines.
Earlier on June 24, another private hospital at Mancheswar area was sealed following a spurt in COVID-19 cases from that particular facility. As per reports, over 39 persons including employees and other patients at the hospital had tested positive for COVID-19.
It is pertinent to mention here that COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Bhubaneswar. Out of the 21 new cases reported from Khurda district in the last 24 hours, 13 cases are from BMC limits. Senior officials informed that of the 13 cases, eight are home quarantine cases while remaining 5 are local contact cases.
Meanwhile, the Khurda Municipality office was closed by the district administration after one of its employees and his son tested positive for COVID-19. The swabs of nearly 33 persons, who have come in contact with the positive cases, will be collected for tests.
“The entire office and place where the employee was staying are being sanitised,” said Khurda Collector adding that Telenga sahi in ward no 15 has been declared a containment zone till July 5.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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