Power outage during surgery at Patiala hospital sparks a row

Health minister Balbir Singh downplayed the incident, saying on X, “The power backup systems at Rajindra hospital, Patiala, are multi-level (3 hotlines) and functioning without issue. On Friday, a local fault led to momentary loss of electricity. The UPS and generator backup functioned seamlessly, and the surgery was conducted without issue. The patient is recovering well. Unfortunately, a junior doctor panicked and recorded a video. Medical staff must remain focused on patient care at all times.”

Singh added, “Whenever such situations arise, doctors should focus on solving the problem rather than making videos. We will look into this matter, but I can confirm the surgery went well, and the patient is stable. Our government is working hard to improve healthcare services.”

Opposition parties, however, criticised the government for what they called gross mismanagement. BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal accused the government of risking lives due to poor infrastructure, saying, “Once again, Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, played with human lives. Emergency lights fluctuated during an operation, putting the patient’s life at risk. Is this what Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal call the ‘Delhi Healthcare Model’? Hospitals lacking basic facilities like ventilators and reliable power supply expose the government’s incompetence.”

SAD chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler echoed similar concerns, alleging that doctors had to rely on mobile phone lights to perform surgeries. “This is not just about power outages but about the government’s failure to provide essential services in critical care facilities,” he said.

The viral video has sparked public outrage, with many questioning the state of healthcare infrastructure in Punjab. The incident has brought the government’s claims of improving healthcare services under intense scrutiny.