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Cuttack: Following a detailed report submitted by the Advocates’ Committee, the Orissa High Court has sought a reply from the state government on the alarming conditions prevailing in several departments of SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack. The report highlighted serious shortages in space, manpower, and basic infrastructure across multiple units of the hospital. A two-judge bench of Justices S.K. Sahoo and V. Narasingh recently reviewed the report, which covered key departments including the burn unit, neonatal care unit (NCU), bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit, general medicine, cardiology, and cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS). The report revealed that the burn unit was operating in cramped conditions, raising serious concerns about the risk of infection, as most beds were kept in open space. In the NICU, two newborns were reportedly being placed in a single tray for observation and testing due to limited space and manpower. Additionally, the gynaecology department had repeatedly requested authorities for improvements, but the report noted that no action had been taken.Also Read:HC intervenes in SCB Medical College Hospital Equipment Installation DelayAccording to the TNIE, the BMT unit was found in a distressing condition, with patients being treated on the floor. Similar scenes were found in the general medicine department. In the cardiology and cardiothoracic department, though new equipment like ECHO and ECMO machines had been provided, some of them have not yet been installed, and some are stored in the OT only.The High Court directed the state counsel to obtain instructions on the reported issues and scheduled the next hearing for November 13.Also Read:HC pulls up SCB Medical College Hospital over absenteeismMedical Dialogues had previously reported that in a move to ensure accountability in public healthcare, the Odisha High Court has intensified its oversight of SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack. The court has directed the State Health & Family Welfare Department to implement stringent measures to address absenteeism and lapses in duty among doctors and hospital staff.
