United Opposition Demands Health Minister’s Resignation After SCB ICU Fire
Bhubaneswar witnessed a rare show of unity on Monday as ten opposition parties, including the BJD, staged a joint protest demanding the resignation of Odisha’s Health Minister.
The demonstration followed the tragic March 16 fire at SCB Medical College’s Trauma Care ICU, which claimed 13 lives.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep anguish over the incident, calling it a “failure of responsibility and humanity” by the BJP-led government.
He stressed that the tragedy has eroded public trust in Odisha’s healthcare system and vowed that opposition parties would continue their fight until accountability is fixed.
Protesters accused the government of negligence and highlighted systemic lapses in hospital safety.
They demanded stronger infrastructure, stricter fire safety measures, and immediate reforms to restore confidence in public healthcare.
The incident has shaken faith in SCB Medical College, one of Odisha’s premier institutions, and sparked wider debate about the state’s preparedness to handle medical emergencies.
