metro india news  I hyderabad

Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha has instructed officials to promptly terminate the diet contractor at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Erragadda, Hyderabad.

During the Telangana Formation Day celebrations on Monday, June 2, sweets were distributed to the inmates at IMH, which resulted in a significant food poisoning outbreak, affecting 92 individuals and leading to one fatality.

The Non-DC ward of the hospital, where the sweets were served, experienced a rapid increase in reports of nausea, vomiting, and discomfort. A total of 74 patients remained under observation at IMH, while 18 were transferred to Osmania General Hospital for additional treatment. Hospital officials reported that the patients are in stable condition.

The Minister on Wednesday visited IMH to assess the situation and to inquire about the care being provided to the affected patients. In a media briefing regarding the incident, the Minister conveyed his regret and highlighted that measures are being implemented to ensure that such events do not happen again.

He noted that the victims are receiving improved medical care and that the health status of all individuals who became ill is currently stable. Eighteen of the more severely ill patients have been transferred to Osmania Hospital. Six medical teams, including those from Gandhi and Osmania hospitals, are overseeing the care of the remaining patients.  The doctors reassured that the patients' conditions are not life-threatening, and they expect the patients to make a recovery within the next two days, as shared by Raja Narasimha.

The Minister announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident, affirming that appropriate actions will be taken against those found responsible after the report is submitted. He also mentioned that a case has been filed at the local police station concerning the incident, and they are still in the process of identifying the deceased.