CUTTACK: Amid a judicial inquiry into the March 16 fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital, the hospital management is establishing a new 20-bed trauma ICU in the surgery department as a temporary solution. This facility is anticipated to be operational by April 25.

This initiative follows directions from the Orissa High Court, which stressed that the ongoing judicial investigation should not impede or delay the restoration of the trauma care ICU.

Since the original trauma care ICU, which was destroyed in the fire, remains inaccessible due to the judicial inquiry, it will not be feasible to restore it in the near future. Consequently, a new ICU is being constructed on the ground floor of the surgery department to accommodate trauma patients, according to a senior official from SCBMCH.

“All civil and electrical works for the new 20-bed ICU have been completed by the Roads & Building division, General Electricity department (GED), and WATCO. Officials from these departments have committed to hand over the facility to SCBMCH on Monday (April 20),” the official stated.

The official also mentioned that medical equipment, including monitors, ventilators, suction systems, and oxygen supply lines, has already been provided by the Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC). “The medical equipment will be installed once the Roads & Building division transfers the facility to us. We are optimistic about making the new trauma care ICU operational by April 25 after obtaining the fire safety certificate,” he added.

“The repair and restoration of the trauma care ICU that was damaged in the fire will be expedited following the conclusion of the judicial inquiry. The repair process is expected to take approximately two months,” the official noted.

Currently, patients are receiving treatment in the orthopaedic and neurosurgery ICUs.