A major tragedy was averted at Kolkata’s NRS Medical College and Hospital on April 1 when chunks of the ceiling collapsed in the Medicine Department’s CCU. Located on the 6th floor of the UNB Building, the incident left 12 critical patients in a state of panic, though they luckily escaped unhurt.

Structural Failures: The collapse revealed severe cracks not just in the ceiling, but also in the floor and supporting pillars. Signs of separation in the walls have raised serious alarms regarding the building’s structural integrity. Following the incident, the 12-bed CCU was immediately shut down and patients were evacuated to safety. Currently, a makeshift 5-bed unit in another building is handling emergency cases.

Under Repair: Hospital authorities have stated that no new admissions will be made to the affected unit until the Public Works Department (PWD) completes extensive repairs. This incident has once again highlighted the deteriorating infrastructure and safety standards in premier state-run hospitals.