Naveen Demands Health Minister’s Resignation over SCB Hospital Fire Tragedy, Seeks ₹50 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Victims’ Families

Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday strongly condemned the tragic fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack that claimed 11 lives, blaming the incident on administrative negligence and deteriorating safety standards at the state’s premier government healthcare facility.

Raising the issue in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen demanded the resignation of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, holding the department accountable for the fatal mishap.

LoP Naveen, who visited the hospital on Monday to assess the situation first-hand, described the scenes as “heartbreaking,” saying patients who had come to the hospital seeking treatment instead lost their lives in a devastating fire.

The fire that broke out in the Trauma Care ICU in the early hours of Monday has claimed 11 precious lives, Naveen said.

“These were patients who came with the hope of recovery, only to meet a horrific end due to administrative negligence. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families”, he said.

While welcoming the state government’s decision to order a judicial inquiry into the incident, Naveen said such probes cannot replace political accountability.

“A judicial inquiry is welcome, but it does not absolve the political leadership of its responsibility. The Health Department cannot hide behind inquiries while families mourn,” he said.

Calling the incident a “catastrophic lapse in safety oversight,” the Leader of Opposition urged Dr. Mahaling to step down and accept moral responsibility for the tragedy.

Naveen also criticized the ex-gratia announced by the state government reportedly ₹25 lakh for each deceased patient’s family as inadequate. He demanded that the compensation be increased to ₹50 lakh to provide meaningful support to the victims’ families.

The fire reportedly broke out between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on March 16, allegedly due to an electrical short circuit, possibly in an air conditioner, on the first floor of the Trauma Care ICU. Around 23 critically ill patients were undergoing treatment at the time.

Thick smoke quickly filled the ICU, complicating evacuation efforts and triggering panic as hospital staff rushed to move patients to safety. Several patients died during the emergency shifting process, while others sustained critical injuries. At least 11 hospital staff members also suffered burn injuries while attempting to rescue patients.