Five patients died on Tuesday night at a government hospital in Odisha after their families said they were given the wrong injection. This has led the state health officials to begin an investigation.
The incident happened at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput, which is a government hospital in southern Odisha. The patients who died came from different parts of Koraput and Kalahandi districts.
According to officials, four of the patients were in the surgery Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and one was in the surgery ward after an operation. The hospital said these patients died between 10 pm and 11 pm. They were in serious condition. One patient had late-stage cervical cancer, three had severe stomach injuries from stabbing, one had liver problems, and the other had serious head injuries from a road accident.
However, the families said that the patients were stable and getting better. One family member said a staff nurse working the night shift gave injections, and at least three patients died within 15 minutes after the injections.
The hospital has started its own inquiry. Officials said the patients were given a medicine called Norepinephrine, which is used when blood pressure drops.
“We have formed a committee with senior hospital staff to investigate. If there is any negligence, we will take action,” said Susant Sahu, the hospital superintendent. Koraput district collector V Keerthi Vasan said, “We have not found any proof of medical negligence yet, but the detailed investigation will find out the truth.”
After police complete their work, postmortem exams will be done to check if the wrong injection or medicine caused the deaths.
Also, Odisha’s Directorate of Medical Education and Training has formed a panel of five senior doctors from top medical colleges in the state. This panel has to submit its report by Thursday evening.
