Bhubaneswar: A 55-year-old farmer from Balangir district, who sustained a life-threatening penetrating injury after a spade pierced his armpit and chest, was operated on at Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital, Balangir, avoiding referral to a tertiary care centre.Health minister Mukesh Mahaling on Sunday congratulated the doctors, anaesthetist, operation theatre staff and health workers involved in the procedure, saying the team’s timely intervention had saved the patient’s life.Hospital authorities said the patient was brought to the emergency department around 4.15 pm on Saturday in a critical condition. He had lost nearly one litre of blood and was disoriented when treatment began.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
After initial stabilisation and assessment, the surgical team decided to remove the embedded spade in the hospital itself.Dr Sumit Samal, a member of the operating team, said the farmer had climbed a tree after placing his agricultural tools, including the spade, beneath it. He accidentally fell from the tree and landed on the spade, which penetrated the armpit region and extended into the chest. The patient was in severe pain when he arrived at the hospital.The surgery was planned around 7.10 pm and continued till about 9.20 pm. A team from the surgery department, supported by anaesthesia and OT personnel, carried out the two-hour procedure and removed the foreign object. Sources said the patient remained stable after surgery and was recovering well.Mahaling said the operation was performed by Dr Saroj Gochhayat, Dr Sumit Samal, Dr Anil Behera and Dr Satyabrata Samal, with anaesthesia support from Dr Neha Padhi and assistance from the OT team. He praised the team for managing a complex emergency at the district medical college.Mahaling said the success reflected the growing capacity of govt medical institutions to handle critical trauma cases locally. “Their skill, dedication and spirit of service have strengthened public faith in Odisha’s healthcare system,” he said. The minister also acknowledged the support staff, noting that coordinated emergency response, anaesthesia management and surgical precision were crucial in preventing complications and ensuring the patient’s survival. Doctors said he would remain under close observation until his condition is fully stabilised.
