Bolangir: The Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital (BBMCH) here, which had recently earned a bad name for a child swapping case and change in diagnostic reports, was again in the news for all the wrong reasons. This time a patient was allegedly administered an injection and saline meant for another patient by a health worker, Monday.
The incident sparked panic among the patients and their kin in the hospital. Chatters were abuzz that such negligence by the health worker might push the patient into the jaws of death and warned that the hospital authorities will be responsible for the outcome. They demanded stringent action against the concerned health worker.
Reports said that Khedu Samal, 65, a native of Dumermunda village under Saintala block, was admitted to the bed No. 48 in the male medicine ward of the hospital after he complained of stomach pain, Sunday.
Similarly, Hari Mahananda, 60, of Khujenbahal village of Bongamunda block in the district, was admitted to bed No. 49 of male medicine ward for kidney-related problems.
After conducting a check-up of Samal, doctors prescribed him some injections and saline. Both the patients were undergoing treatment when a health worker administered the injection and saline meant for Mahananda to Samal, Monday.
The error was detected after Mahananda’s daughter noticed her father’s name written on the saline bottle and informed Samal’s wife and son. This triggered a furore. However, a woman health worker instead of placating them misbehaved with the family members of Samal, alleged Samal’s son Nuakhai Samal.
After learning about the matter, Samal’s family members informed the matter to the doctor on duty. Following the incident, the family members of the patient are in a state of panic, fearing adverse effects of ‘wrong’ injection and saline on Samal.
The health workers at the hospital have admitted that saline had been administered to Samal by mistake. They further explained that a similar bottle of saline had been prescribed for the other patient which created the confusion.
Meanwhile, doctors are keeping Samal on close observation in case he develops any reaction due to the wrong medication.
When contacted, Dr Mahendra Kumar Nayak, superintendent of BBMCH, said that he is aware of the development. He has assured that a probe will be conducted into the issue of administering wrong saline.
PNN