Former Minister Damodar Rout Very Critical, Declared Brain-Dead

Bhubaneswar: Dr. Damodar Rout, a former Odisha Minister and esteemed leader at 81, has been declared brain dead. His son and MLA, Sambit Routray, disclosed his critical condition on Thursday, revealing that although his father’s heart responded to CPR administered at the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) hospital, his brain remains non-functional.

According to Sambit, his father, a senior BJD leader, experienced a cardiac arrest on March 18. Initially taken to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar around 3 pm, he was later transferred to KIMS. Sambit lamented that despite their requests, doctors at Capital Hospital did not administer CPR during the crisis.

Sambit attributed extensive damage due to oxygen deprivation to the delay of 15 to 20 minutes in transferring his father to a private hospital.

In response to allegations, Capital Hospital Director Laxmidhar Sahu asserted that Dr. Rout received necessary treatment but also noted his preexisting stage 5 kidney issues. Due to the lack of specialized doctors for kidney-related ailments, Dr. Rout was referred to another hospital. Sahu emphasized that CPR was not suitable for Dr. Rout’s condition, and the hospital provided the best possible care.

Expressing concern, CM Naveen Patnaik posted on X, wishing the senior party leader and former minister, Mr. Damodar Raut, good health and a long life.