Bhubaneswar, 4 June (H.S.): In the wake of the reported deaths of five patients at Shaheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput, District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.

Addressing the media, the Collector said that the probe would focus on ascertaining the exact cause of the deaths, particularly in light of allegations that faulty injections may have contributed to the tragedy. The deceased include a cancer patient, an accident victim, and two individuals who were admitted after a stabbing incident.

“All aspects will be thoroughly investigated. While no medical negligence has been established so far, we are taking the allegations seriously, especially those concerning the use of injections,” Vasan stated.

According to preliminary reports, three of the patients were receiving treatment in the Surgery ICU, while two others were being treated in general wards. The patients who died in the ICU have been identified as Bhagaban Paraja, Sukru Majhi, and Rukuni Pentia. The two patients who died in the ward are Bati Khara and Phulmati Majhi.

Family members of the deceased have alleged that the patients were recovering post-surgery and had shown signs of improvement. However, they claim that a hospital staff member on night duty administered certain injections twice, after which three ICU patients reportedly died within 15 minutes.

The inquiry committee is expected to include senior medical professionals and administrative officials. Their findings will determine whether procedural lapses or medical errors contributed to the deaths and recommend corrective action accordingly.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda