Kozhikode Medical College smoke incident: Hospital denies deaths due to inhalation, probe ordered
Kozhikode: Questions have been raised following the death of five patients at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital after a smoke incident reportedly triggered by a short circuit in the UPS storage room near the casualty wing.
The incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Friday when smoke was detected emanating from the UPS room. Hospital authorities immediately began relocating patients from the affected ward, which has since been sealed for a detailed investigation.
While the hospital administration maintains that none of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation, Congress MLA from Wayanad, T. Siddique, has alleged that at least three patients died as a result of inhaling the smoke. He cited the case of a 44-year-old patient named Nazeera, claiming that she died after being removed from a ventilator amid the smoke.
According to hospital officials, four of the deceased had passed away prior to the smoke incident, while the fifth was brought in already dead. Siddique has publicly challenged this version and demanded accountability.
State Health Minister Veena George has directed an inquiry into the incident. The Kerala Director of Medical Education will lead the investigation to ascertain the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have confirmed that 34 patients from the casualty department have been shifted to nearby hospitals as a precautionary measure. Post-mortem examinations will be conducted if requested by the families of the deceased.
Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, a crucial healthcare facility for residents of Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts, is among the busiest public hospitals in Kerala.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
