Odisha Hospital Faces Probe After 20 Women Lie on Floor Post-Sterilization
Health authorities in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district have taken swift action following a disturbing incident at the Nuagaon Community Health Centre (CHC). A show-cause notice has been issued to the facility's medical officer, and a formal inquiry has been ordered after 20 women were forced to lie on the hospital floor immediately following sterilization surgery.
Viral Video Sparks Immediate Response
The administrative action came just one day after a video showing the women lying on the floor went viral across social media platforms. The incident was first reported by media outlets on Friday, drawing immediate attention from district health officials.
"After learning that women who underwent sterilization had to sleep on the floor, raising serious concerns over patient safety and violation of sterilization norms, I ordered a probe and issued a show-cause notice to the medical officer," stated Dr. Rajendra Kumar Panigrahi, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Jagatsinghpur.
Medical Officer's Explanation
In response to the notice, CHC Medical Officer Dr. Chidananda Panda submitted his official reply. "I have submitted my reply. A sterilization camp was held on Thursday. Some women had to lie on the floor as sufficient beds were not available due to ongoing renovation work," he explained.
Dr. Panda further clarified, "It's a minor surgery and all of them were discharged the same day. We will ensure such incidents do not recur and all sterilization rules are strictly followed."
Violation of Supreme Court Guidelines
Social worker Amarabara Biswal highlighted that this incident directly contradicts the spirit of the Supreme Court's landmark 2016 ruling in the Devika Biswas vs Union of India case. That judgment specifically mandated strict safeguards at sterilization camps and warned against unsafe procedures targeting vulnerable population groups.
Chronic Infrastructure Problems
Local residents have long complained about systemic issues plaguing the Nuagaon CHC. "Patients often sleep on the floor in wards and corridors. It reflects the poor state of healthcare here," said Mahendra Das, a 64-year-old retired teacher from Nuagaon.
Another resident, Prasan Jena, alleged that the CHC has become "a neglected facility for poor and lower middle-class families." He pointed to delayed construction work as exacerbating the situation. "The delay in completing the extension block has worsened the situation. Often patients are discharged early to make space for others waiting outside. Many lie unattended on the floor due to severe overcrowding," Jena added.
Broader Healthcare Concerns
This incident has brought to light several critical issues facing healthcare infrastructure in the region:
- Inadequate bed availability during renovation projects
- Chronic overcrowding in community health facilities
- Potential violations of sterilization safety protocols
- Disparities in healthcare access for economically disadvantaged communities
The ongoing investigation will determine whether proper sterilization camp protocols were followed and what systemic changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. Health authorities have emphasized their commitment to ensuring patient safety and adherence to all medical guidelines during surgical procedures.
