CUTTACK: In a shocking incident, a woman patient of SCB Medical College and Hospital died after allegedly falling from the terrace of Nephrology department early on Sunday.
The woman identified as Arati Jata of Karadadhani village in Dhenkanal district is alleged to have fallen off the third floor terrace adjacent to the toilet of Nephrology ward. The terrace space was left open without any barricade due to ongoing construction on the building premises.
The incident occurred at around 3 am when Arati (35) reportedly went to use the toilet. She is believed to have ventured towards the terrace and slipped.
The woman was undergoing treatment for kidney failure. She had suffered damage to both her kidneys and had been kept on dialysis. She had separated from her husband and was living with her father Kailash Jata for several years, sources said.
While police sent the body for post-mortem and registered a case of unnatural death, the incident sparked tension in the hospital with family members and other patients pinning the blame on the hospital administration. There were no safety measures like a temporary barricade to prevent any mishap as it was located close to the toilet which is used by patients in the ward. The family members also demanded compensation.
The hospital authorities have instituted a probe into the incident. A committee has been formed to inquire into the cause of death, emergency officer Bhubanananda Moharana told mediapersons.