Tension at Koraput Medical College after six patients die within hours; injection error suspected

Bhubaneswar, June 4: Panic and tension gripped Shaheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput after six critically ill patients died within a few hours, triggering concerns over possible medical negligence. The incident began late Tuesday night when five patients lost their lives in quick succession, and the toll rose to six with another fatality reported early this morning.

The deceased hailed from different parts of southern Odisha, including Borigumma, Kalahandi, Semiliguda, and Machhara. Among them, Shukra Majhi, Rukuni Pentia, and Phulmati Majhi were being treated in the ICU, while Bhagaban Parija and Bati Khara were admitted in the surgery ward. All five reportedly died between 11 p.m. and midnight.

According to distraught family members, the ICU patients had been stable following surgeries. However, their condition rapidly deteriorated after being administered an injection by a nurse during the night shift. One relative alleged, “A nurse injected three patients, and minutes later my sister began trembling. By the time doctors arrived, she had passed away.”

The Koraput Town Police intervened to calm the agitated crowd. Postmortems have been ordered, and an investigation is underway.