A 60-year-old patient and a doctor were injured Saturday when a portion of the roof plaster collapsed at the Malout Civil Hospital in Punjab. The incident occurred in the outpatient department (OPD) building, room no. 107, around midday.
Patient and Doctor Caught in Falling Debris
Bhagwan Dass, a resident of Patel Nagar in Malout town, had visited the hospital for abdominal pain. As he was consulting the doctor, a section of the ceiling plaster suddenly gave way. Falling debris struck both Dass and the attending surgeon, Dr. Vikas Kumar Bansal, causing head and hand injuries.
Dr. Bansal, a surgeon at the hospital, told reporters: “I was sitting in room no. 107 of the OPD building when the plaster came off and fell on us. Luckily, the large chunks fell to the side; otherwise the injuries could have been more serious. We have admitted the patient with a head injury. I also received first aid.”
Building Condition and Cause
The hospital building is aging and has been affected by seepage, according to Dr. Bansal. However, he noted that the exact cause of the collapse can only be determined by officials from the Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads). The incident raises concerns about infrastructure safety in public healthcare facilities.
Immediate Response and Aftermath
Hospital staff quickly attended to the injured. Bhagwan Dass was admitted for observation due to his head injury, while Dr. Bansal was treated with first aid and resumed duties. No other injuries were reported. The incident prompted a review of ceiling conditions in other rooms of the OPD building.
Call for Structural Audit
Local residents and patient advocates have demanded a thorough structural audit of the hospital premises. They point out that such incidents not only endanger lives but also disrupt medical services. The hospital administration has assured that a detailed inspection will be carried out by PWD (B&R) experts to prevent recurrence.
This incident adds to a growing list of infrastructure failures in public hospitals across Punjab, highlighting the urgent need for maintenance and renovation of aging healthcare facilities.
