Court emphasized immediate remedial actions for healthcare infrastructure deficiencies, ensuring accountable management and adequate staffing to enhance patient care quality.

ORDER :

S.C.B. MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, CUTTACK : ISSUES & PROBLEMS

(i) SICK NEWBORN CARE UNIT (SNCU) & MATERNITY WARD

365-A. - As per order no.343-D dated 23.10.2025, 11.12.2025 on the basis of the report of the learned Advocates' Committee relating to Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) and Maternity Ward of SCBMCH, Cuttack, learned counsel for the State was called upon to obtain instruction regarding the suggestions given by the learned Advocates' Committee in its report.

The learned Advocates' Committee highlighted regarding infrastructure and equipment needs and stated that the SNCU is facing challenges related to space, equipment availability and staffing. They have further highlighted that improvements are required to ensure adequate neonatal beds, sufficient ventilation circuits and a dedicated area for specialized care such as kangaroo mother care and that addressing these issues would enhance neonatal outcomes and overall care quality.

It is also highlighted in the report of the learned Advocates' Committee that the Labour Room and Maternity Ward are experiencing high patient load with an average of 25-30 labours per day. Infrastructure and equipment shortages, combined with inadequate sanitation and lighting facilities are impacting patient care. Immediate action is recommended to provide additional ICU beds, essential monitoring and diagnostic equipments and to improve sanitation facilities for both patients and attendants.

Prof. (Dr.) Goutam Kumar Satpathy, Medical Superintendent, SCBMCH, Cuttack as well as Prof. Dr. Srimanta Das, HoD, Pediatrics and Prof. Dr. Subhra Ghosh, HoD, Gynecology is present through virtual mode.

Learned counsel for the State has produced a letter no.28224 dated 10.12.2025 of the Medical Superintendent, SCBMCH, Cuttack regarding this issue, which is taken on record.

In the said letter, it is stated that as regards the suggestions given by the learned Advocates‟ Committee dated 23.10.2025 to improve the SNCU & Maternity Ward of SCBMCH, Cuttack, necessary steps have been taken to carry out the suggestions as feasible which are mentioned below:

1. Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU)

“a) Infrastructure & Equipment Needs

-10 numbers of ICU beds have been supplied to the SNCU;

-Ventilation circuits have been provided sufficiently;

-Neo surfactant injection is being provided to the SNCU through local purchase in case of non-availability in the Central Warehouse of OSMC situated inside the hospital premises;

-4 nos. of portable ultrasound machines have been provided to the HoD concerned.

b) Medical & Treatment Notes

-After due discussion with the HoDs, O & G and Paediatrics Department, the HoDs concerned have assured to address the issues of Birth Asphyxia and Kangaroo Mother Care by making all out efforts.

c) Staffing

-Additional staff will be provided after filling up of the posts of nursing personnel lying vacant.

d) IV and Feeding Notes

-The HoD of the department concerned has been instructed to ensure the recording of specific oral or IV feed/drug amounts and time.

-A list of status of medical equipment/instruments for SNU has been annexed to the letter as Annexure-A. It reflects the name of items, the quantity, the action taken and the status. Under the heading of action taken, it is mentioned that it is sent to DMET (O) vide office letter no.24858 dated 28.10.2025. Under the heading of status, in some items, it is mentioned that the times has been received, in some other items, it is under process at the level of OSMCL and in some items, it is mentioned that purchase order has been placed by OSMCL. Annexure-A to the letter dated 10.12.2025 is reproduced herein below:

As stated by the HoDs of the concerned departments, earliest procurement of the above equipments/instruments is very much necessary.

Relating to the status of medical equipments and instruments of Neonatal ICU (Paediatric), SCBMCH, Cuttack, Dr. Poma Tudu, Managing Director, OSMCL brought to the notice of this Court that equipments at serial nos.1, 5, 6, 8