Bhubaneswar fire: Health Minister JP Nadda to visit SUM Hospital to take stock of situation

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will reach Bhubaneswar on Wednesday and visit the hospital where 19 people were killed in a fire on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_3060026” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of JP Nadda. AFP[/caption] “Health Minister JP Nadda will visit SUM hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to take stock of the fire tragedy which claimed 19 lives,“a senior Health Ministry official told IANS. Nineteen persons were killed in the Odisha fire in the Intensive Care Unit of the Dialysis Ward of SUM hospital on Monday evening. Another 106 were injured and are undergoing treatment. The Fire Services Department lodged an FIR with the Khandagiri police alleging negligence of the hospital authorities in adhering to fire safety norms. Four SUM Hospital officials were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the incident. This comes after SUM Hospital authorities on Tuesday denied that there were lapses on the management’s part. It, however, suspended four persons for the fire incident. “We have put four officials under suspension following the fire incident. They have been suspended pending inquiry. However, the suspension does not mean that they are guilty. Only a thorough inquiry would reveal the actual cause of the incident,” said Amit Banerjee, Vice Chancellor of the SUM Hospital and Medical College. Those put under suspension for reported dereliction of duty are the fire officer, manager and two others staffers. He said the exact reason behind the unfortunate incident will be known only after the investigation committee submits its report. Banerjee also announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the kin of each deceased. He said steps are being taken to provide free treatment to the injured.