Erragadda Mental Hospital civil surgeon RMO removed after gastroenteritis outbreak; 1 dead, 92 sick

Hyderabad: The Telangana Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department on June 4, 2025, has relieved Dr. D. Padmaja, Deputy Civil Surgeon RMO, from her duties as the In-charge Civil Surgeon RMO at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, Hyderabad.

The decision follows a serious outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at the hospital on June 2, 2025, which resulted in the death of one patient and left 92 others ill. Eighteen of the affected patients have been shifted to Osmania General Hospital for better treatment.

Dr. Padmaja has been directed to report to the Director of Public Health & Family Welfare, Hyderabad. In her place, Dr. B. Shankar, Deputy Civil Surgeon RMO at Osmania General Hospital, has been appointed as the in-charge Civil Surgeon RMO at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, Hyderabad, until further orders.

In a separate but related order, the government has terminated the services of the hospital’s diet contractor, G. Jaipal Reddy, with immediate effect. The termination was based on findings of gross negligence and breach of contract, as contaminated food is suspected to have caused the gastroenteritis outbreak.

Officials continue to monitor the health of affected patients and are reviewing internal systems at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Erragadda, Hyderabad to prevent recurrence.