Erragadda Mental Health Hospital Diet Contractor Fired

Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha today directed officials to immediately terminate the services of the diet contractor, G Jaipal Reddy, at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Erragadda, Hyderabad.

The hospital's Resident Medical Officer Dr D Padmaja was also relieved from that position.

The minister visited the IMH to assess the situation arising from the food poisoning incident that affected nearly 100 persons, and review the care being provided to the affected patients.

During a media briefing later, he expressed regret over the incident and said that measures were being taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

He said that all affected individuals were receiving enhanced medical care (one person passed away), and that their conditions were stable. Doctors had assured him that the patients' conditions were not life-threatening, and most were expected to recover within the next two days, the minister added.

Rajanarasimha also announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident. He promised that strict action would be taken against those found responsible, based on the committee's report.

For the unversed, the directive follows a major food poisoning incident that occurred during the Telangana Formation Day celebrations on Monday, June 2, when sweets were distributed to inmates at the IMH. The incident affected 92 individuals in the "Discharged Ward", and resulted in one fatality.

The ward saw a sudden spike in cases of nausea, vomiting and discomfort. 74 patients remain under observation at the IMH, while 18 others were shifted to Osmania General Hospital for further treatment. The hospital authorities confirmed that all patients are in stable condition.