Orissa High Court Demands Status Update on SCB Hospital Fire Judicial Inquiry
In a significant development, the Orissa High Court has issued a directive to the state government, compelling it to submit a comprehensive status report regarding the ongoing judicial inquiry into the devastating fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack. This tragic event, which occurred on March 16, resulted in the unfortunate deaths of 12 patients within the trauma care ICU.
Court Review of Trauma ICU Restoration Progress
During a hearing held on Thursday, the court meticulously reviewed the progress concerning the restoration of the gutted trauma care ICU at SCBMCH. The state government had previously ordered a judicial probe into the fire incident, officially notifying on March 17 that the matter was of serious public importance and would be investigated under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
Aswathy S, the commissioner-cum-secretary of the state health and family welfare department, along with SCBMCH superintendent Dr. Jyotish Chandra Choudhury, informed the court that a new trauma ICU is currently being established within the department of surgery. They indicated that this facility is likely to become operational by April 25, providing a crucial timeline for restoration efforts.
Interim Patient Management and Judicial Inquiry Concerns
The court was further apprised that, in the interim period, critical trauma patients are being managed within the intensive care units of other departments, such as orthopaedics and neurosurgery. This temporary arrangement ensures continued medical care while the primary trauma ICU undergoes reconstruction.
A division bench comprising Justices K.R. Mohapatra and V. Narasingh took careful note of these updates. The bench explicitly ordered that Additional Government Advocate Debasis Nayak shall apprise this Court regarding the progress made in the judicial inquiry instituted to investigate the fire incident in the trauma ICU of SCBMCH, which led to the tragic loss of 12 lives.
Expressing deep concern, the bench observed that the ongoing judicial inquiry must not become a roadblock in expediting the restoration of the trauma care ICU. The judges stressed the urgent need for the early revival of this essential medical facility, highlighting the critical importance of uninterrupted healthcare services for trauma patients.
Commission's Mandate and Reporting Timeline
The judicial inquiry is being conducted by a single-member commission headed by retired district judge Laxmidhar Biswal. This commission has been tasked with a comprehensive mandate, which includes:
- Examining the precise sequence of events that led to the fire outbreak.
- Investigating the role and accountability of officials or authorities involved in the incident.
- Assessing the preparedness of SCBMCH and other relevant agencies in responding to such emergencies.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of measures implemented both before and after the incident to save patients.
- Recommending specific measures to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies in the future.
The commission has been instructed to submit its detailed report within a strict timeframe of 60 days. The High Court bench has clarified that the matter will be taken up again after the state government provides an update on both the inquiry progress and the restoration work of the trauma ICU.
This judicial oversight underscores the court's commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and swift action in addressing the aftermath of the hospital fire, while simultaneously prioritizing the urgent need to restore critical medical infrastructure for public health and safety.
