Bhopal Hamidia Hospital has 390 beds with oxygen support for the treatment of COVID-19
Bhopal:
Three patients died after an hour-long power outage at a multi-specialty hospital in Bhopal that is treating COVID-19 patients, sources said. After the power outage at 6 p.m. Friday, the backup generator maintained by the Department of Public Works (PWD) did not work and power was restored only at 7 p.m., they said.
The state government-owned Hamidia Hospital unit affected by the power outage houses the COVID-19 treatment team and trauma and emergency care.
The hospital administration said no one died as a result of the power outage.
However, sources said that the condition of two patients on oxygen support worsened after the power outage as the medical equipment (high-flow nasal cannula or HFNC) did not have independent power backup. The fans also stopped working after a few minutes due to a power backup interruption, sources said.
One of the three patients who died was Akbar Khan, 67, a two-time congressional counselor.
A PWD deputy engineer stationed at the medical school and hospital has been suspended and is under investigation, the sources said. The state government also issued a notice to the dean of the medical center.
The hospital has 390 beds with oxygen support for the treatment of COVID-19. Of the 150 intensive care units, 57 were occupied on Friday.
“This is a serious lapse … The budget to run the backup generator was fully allocated. The diesel and other equipment needed to run the generator was also available. After the power outage, the generator ran for about 10 minutes, but unfortunately it stopped. It was restored within an hour, “Madhya Pradesh Minister of Medical Education Vishwas Sarang told reporters.
“The PWD engineer who was tasked with maintaining the generator has been suspended … This incident should not have occurred. The Chief Minister has requested a report and has sought swift action against the culprits. The hospital administration has said that no one has died due to the power outage. Their fans had power backup, there is a three-tier system in place, “Sarang said.
Congress targeted the Madhya Pradesh government, ruled by the BJP, for the incident. “The Madhya Pradesh government should take full responsibility for the incident instead of punishing a small employee. The minister should take personal responsibility,” said state congressional spokesman Bhupendra Gupta.
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