Odisha Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling addressed the Assembly today, offering a detailed statement on the SCB Medical College and Hospital fire in Cuttack that claimed 12 lives.Mahaling expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and prayed for the departed souls. He said staff acted on a war footing to evacuate 23 patients from the Trauma Care ICU and nearby wards. Despite their efforts, seven patients in critical condition died, followed by five more in other wards. Eleven medical staff sustained injuries during the rescue but remain out of danger.The minister thanked Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for visiting the hospital at 4:17 a.m. on March 16, meeting families, and announcing Rs 25 lakh compensation for each victim’s kin. He also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke to the Chief Minister and sanctioned Rs 2 lakh aid for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from PMNRF. President Droupadi Murmu and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also conveyed condolences.Mahaling highlighted that fire audits of 2,010 medical institutions have been completed and, for the first time, independent budget allocations were made for fire safety. He said Rs 320 crore was earmarked in 2025–26 and Rs 400 crore in 2026–27 for strengthening hospital fire systems. At SCB, ramps, extinguishers, and hydrants were installed in the affected block within the past six months.He announced a judicial inquiry led by retired Justice Lakshmidhar Biswaal and an inter-departmental fact-finding committee chaired by senior official D.K. Singh. He assured strict action against anyone found negligent and pledged to make SCB fire compliant immediately.Mahaling concluded by promising vigilance and stronger fire safety across all hospitals to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
