Erragadda hospital food poisoning: Doctor relieved, diet contractor sacked

After the food poisoning cases at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, 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 suffered from acute gastroenteritis. One of them, identified as Karan, reportedly died, while 18 others were shifted to Osmania General Hospital for specialised treatment.

According to an official notification issued by the hospital superintendent, the incident on June 3 involved patients developing vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms after consuming food, indicating 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 IMH.

Health minister Damodar Raja Narasimha has since reviewed the situation and directed Osmania General Hospital doctors to oversee treatment at IMH. Hospital authorities said hydration, electrolyte replacement, and antibiotics were being administered based on clinical assessments.