Thiruvananthapuram: A major scare erupted at Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital when the casualty wing faced a prolonged power outage lasting over three hours. The hospital, known for handling one of the highest birth rates in the country, experienced an unprecedented shutdown of its electricity supply. It marked the first time in the hospital’s history that power was disrupted for such an extended period.

The outage caused significant distress among patients' relatives, particularly those awaiting emergency care for pregnant women and mothers who had just delivered. As the blackout continued, tension escalated, leading to a situation that seemed to spiral beyond the control of the police stationed at the hospital. However, power was eventually restored, which helped ease the mounting panic among the bystanders.

Once power was back, SAT Hospital officials reassured that both the children and mothers receiving treatment were safe. Dr. Nirmala C., Superintendent of SAT Hospital, emphasized that critical care units like the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) remained unaffected by the power failure. She explained that the blackout only impacted the casualty wing and some wards, but the most vulnerable patients, including those requiring emergency care, had been promptly moved to the ICUs for safety.

Despite these assurances, significant concerns lingered among family members, particularly regarding the newborns who were dependent on oxygen and other life-support equipment, which relies heavily on uninterrupted electricity. Panic-stricken relatives, mostly mothers, crowded the hospital corridors, pleading with reporters to check on the children. One anxious woman, fearing for her child, was heard saying, “Four to five newborns requiring continuous oxygen supply are stuffed into a single bed. We don’t know what is happening to them.”

The root cause of the blackout remains unclear. Initial reports suggested it may have been due to routine maintenance work conducted by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). However, the incident has raised serious concerns about the hospital’s preparedness for such emergencies. Backup generators were installed precisely to handle such situations, yet they also failed to function when most needed. This has led to questions about whether the generators were properly maintained, and whether responsibility for the failure lies with the Public Works Department (PWD) maintenance wing of the Medical College.

Power Minister K. Krishnankutty also expressed concern, questioning whether the PWD should be held accountable for the generator malfunction. There are unconfirmed reports that shorter power outages had occurred at the hospital in the days leading up to the major blackout. Only a thorough investigation can provide satisfactory answers regarding the hospital's preparedness and the root cause of the incident.

Eventually, power was restored with the help of rented generators. SAT Hospital’s annual operations are extensive, handling an outpatient count of 75,000, with 28,000 admissions, 10,000 deliveries, 3,000 cesarean sections, and 2,000 major gynecological surgeries annually. The hospital has a staff strength of 35, making it a crucial healthcare centre for the region.

In response to the situation, Health Minister Veena George announced that a technical committee would be formed to investigate the power outage at the hospital. In a press statement, the Minister confirmed that a comprehensive probe would be launched to determine the cause of the blackout and to identify any lapses that led to the failure. Veena George visited the hospital on Sunday night to assess the situation personally, promising strict action if negligence is discovered during the investigation.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)