Hyderabad: After the food poisoning cases at the Erragadda mental health hospital, the Telangana government, on Wednesday, June 4, relieved In-charge Civil Surgeon, Dr D Padmaja, from her post and terminated the services of the hospital’s diet contractor, G Jaipal Reddy.
This action follows an incident in which 92 patients at the facility allegedly suffered from acute gastroenteritis. One of them, identified as Karan, reportedly died, while 18 others were shifted to Osmania General Hospital for specialised treatment.
In a statement a day earlier, Erragadda hospital authorities had stated that the deceased Karan had been ill for the past two days with a mild cough, cold, and low-grade fever and passed away due to a suspected cardiopulmonary arrest. They also dismissed reports of over 70 people falling ill as ‘exaggerated.’
According to the rejoinder issued by the hospital superintendent on June 4, patients developing vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms after consuming food indicate gross negligence on the part of the diet contractor.
The government order relieving Dr Padmaja came after an enquiry report submitted by the director of medical education on June 4. As of now, Dr B Shankar from Osmania General Hospital has been appointed as the new in-charge civil surgeon at Erragadda mental health hospital.
Health minister Damodar Raja Narasimha has since reviewed the situation and directed Osmania General Hospital doctors to oversee treatment at Erragadda mental health hospital. Hospital authorities said hydration, electrolyte replacement, and antibiotics were being administered based on clinical assessments.
(The copy has been updated to ensure accuracy of facts.)
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