Cuttack: Amid tall claims of the Odisha Government regarding transformation of the SCB Medical College and Hospital here, power outage at the healthcare facility for hours caused severe inconvenience for patients on Saturday.

As per reports, darkness due to lack of electricity supply forced doctors to administer injections to several patients using mobile phone torch light.

Though power was later supplied with Diesel Generator (DG), ceiling fans didn't function in many wards, leading to harrowing experience for patients and their attendants.

Furthermore, supply of water to various wards was affected due to absence of power in the pump house.

The issue emerged in Anatomy Department, morgue, Dermatology Department, Medicine Department, Spinal Injury Centre and Laundry Plant of the hospital from 7 am onwards.

Allegedly, ACs were not working properly in operation theatres and ICUs of the hospital.

Making the situation worse, around 50 contractors engaged in electricity-related work of the hospital had yesterday resorted to strike over delay in payment of bills, for which restoration couldn't be carried out immediately.

Following assurance by the Works Department regarding fulfillment of their demands, the agitators withdrew the strike in the afternoon, after which restoration work was carried out in some departments.

The disruption in power supply took place due to cable-related issue, reports said.