Thiruvananthapuram: A four-hour power outage at SAT Hospital that disrupted treatment has been attributed to serious lapses on part of the authorities. The incoordination among the KSEB, PWD electric department and hospital authorities also caused the disruption. Despite prior warnings that technical faults could occur, no adequate preventive measures were taken.

The power connection to the hospital was cut off in the afternoon due to maintenance work by the KSEB. Afterward, operations continued using generators. With around a thousand patients, including pregnant women and newborns, in treatment, there was no alternative arrangement in case the generators failed.

The KSEB restored the connection in the evening. However, due to a technical snag, electricity was not supplied. Unable to resolve the issue, the hospital continued to rely on generators. By 6 pm, one of the two generators malfunctioned, and no replacement generator could be arranged. A temporary system was arranged to supply power only to the ICU. By 6:30 pm, the second generator also broke down, leaving the hospital completely in the dark.

Eventually, a generator from five kilometres away reached the hospital after four hours. Officials admitted that there had been no plans for a backup system if the generators failed.

Patients, including newborns, in critical areas such as the paediatric casualty, emergency ICU, labour room and emergency operation theatre for caesarean sections, faced severe distress. Many experienced health problems due to the intense heat, and they were fortunate to escape a major disaster.

The PWD electric department is responsible for supplying power to the hospital. Despite repeated requests, no timely backup arrangements were made, according to hospital authorities. The PWD electric department explained that unexpected technical failures created the crisis, while KSEB claimed there was no fault on its part.

Authorities turn a blind eye to lapses

The state’s major hospital, which treats around a thousand patients, faced darkness for four continuous hours. SAT Hospital is a critical facility for deliveries, including caesarean sections. It is also where seriously ill children and mothers from other hospitals are referred for treatment. The situation has shocked everyone, as this is a hospital many rely on for life-saving care.

People from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu depend on this hospital. The power outage delayed treatment for many. Hospital authorities could not provide clear guidance to anxious patients or their relatives, who were left in the dark. Complaints arose due to the lack of facilities to provide treatment despite health issues caused by the heat. Services continued using torches and mobile lights, including in the labour room. Patients and attendants were not allowed to enter the hospital, citing that electricity would be restored soon, and many had to wait four to five hours in the outpatient and casualty areas.

Critical areas such as the outborn nursery, paediatric casualty, emergency ICU, SNCU (ICU), labour room, emergency operation theatre for caesarean sections, gynaecological casualty, paediatric cardiology, and MITU (ICU) saw their operations halted. Patients and newborns across 12 wards were in distress. Many devices powered by electricity malfunctioned. The nearby Golden Jubilee Hall had uninterrupted power, providing small relief. However, since most hospital operations take place in older buildings, around 80 per cent of operations were halted. The waiting areas were also dark. In the event of any emergencies, patients were left in a precarious situation. Authorities were unclear about who was responsible for each department's lapses.

Power restored: Superintendent

Superintendent of SAT Hospital Dr S Bindu announced on Monday that the electricity supply had been restored and returned to normal from the generator system. Power was back to normal by 7:30 am on Monday, and the contractor (switch) on the generator panel board was replaced after noon.

Lapses attributed to health and public works departments

It is pointed out that the serious crisis at SAT Hospital was caused by a lack of proper coordination between the health department and the public works department. Hospital authorities and the PWD electric section’s negligence led to around a thousand patients being left in darkness for hours.

Accusations were made against the PWD electrical wing for failing to conduct regular maintenance on the electrical system every six months. KSEB had previously informed that there would be a power cut due to maintenance work. Knowing this, the PWD electric department failed to take precautions. Moreover, it did not consider what to do in the event of generator failure. Hospital authorities also showed a lack of foresight in considering such situations. They merely stated that the responsibility for supplying electricity lay with the electrical department without taking accountability for the patients' suffering.

KSEB accuses PWD of delaying maintenance 

A transformer station supplies electricity to the hospital. Maintenance is to be done every six months. KSEB is responsible for maintaining the transformer and 11 KV line.

The maintenance work that was to be done before the Onam festival took place on Sunday. KSEB officials said they had approached the hospital and the PWD electric department for the same. However, they alleged that the electrical department did not facilitate this work.