Food poisoning at Hyderabad’s Erragadda mental health hospital leads to staff reshuffle

The Telangana government is taking action after a food poisoning incident at IMH, Erragadda, which caused severe gastroenteritis in 70 patients. Authorities are removing hospital staff, replacing leadership and dismissing the diet contractor, while promising to prevent future incidents

Hyderabad: Following the food poisoning incident at the State-run Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, which caused severe gastroenteritis in nearly 70 psychiatric patients, the State government on Wednesday issued orders relieving the hospital’s in-charge Civil Surgeon RMO, Dr D Padmaja, from regular duties.

Dr B Shankar, Deputy Civil Surgeon RMO of Osmania General Hospital, has been appointed as the in-charge Civil Surgeon RMO of IMH, Erragadda. Dr Padmaja has been directed to report to the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Hyderabad.

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To assess the situation, State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, along with senior health officials, visited IMH and interacted with the patients who fell ill and are undergoing treatment. During the visit, the Health Minister instructed health authorities to terminate the services of the hospital’s diet contractor.

Expressing regret over the incident, Raja Narasimha assured patients and their families that all efforts will be made to prevent such occurrences in the future.