Bhubaneswar: Former minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) veteran Damodar Rout has been declared brain dead. His condition is stated to be critical and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the state capital.
Talking to a news channel, his son Sambit Routray blamed the Capital Hospital authorities for the deteriorating condition of his father.
“My father suffered cardiac arrest on March 18 night following which he was rushed to Capital Hospital. However, doctors delayed him in administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to him for which we had to shift him to a private hospital where he has been undergoing treatment. Due to the delay in administering CPR, his condition has become critical and he has been declared brain dead, his son quoted saying to a news channel.
According to Sambit, it took 15-20 minutes to shift his father to a private hospital. In the process, his brain suffered extensive damage owing to lack of oxygen supply to the brain.
It may be mentioned that Damodar was one of the founding members of BJD and closely worked with former chief minister Biju Patnaik. A seven-time MLA, Rout had held several portfolios in Naveen Patnaik’s Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wished Rout a swift recovery and good health.
Taking to ‘X’ handle, Naveen wrote: “I am concerned to know about the illness of senior party leader and former minister Mr. Damodar Raut. Wishing him good health and long life.”
Meanwhile, Capital Hospital director Lakhmidhar Sahu refuting allegations leveled by Rout’s son Sambit said, “Rout was not in a state to receive CPR. Our doctors, however, attended Rout soon he was brought to the hospital. As we have no kidney experts, we referred him to a private hospital after primary treatment. His kidneys were not in a good state. Rout’s son has complained to me in this regard and I have inspected the matter.”
