Bhuban: Two days have passed since the health department announced a permanent doctor and four doctors on deputation to the Bhuban community health centre (CHC) in Dhenkanal district in the wake of a 12-hour Bhuban bandh called by the Regional Action Committee demanding referral status and permanent doctor posting. But the doctors were yet to turn up, forcing 60 patients, including three pregnant women, to return home after a long wait Sunday.
Once, thousands of people residing in villages bordering Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts used to depend on the CHC. Even today, an equal number of patients from Bhuban block, NAC and the mining areas of Jajpur visit this CHC. But they have to return untreated as it is devoid of doctors.
The local residents resorted to a bandh protesting the ‘step-motherly attitude’ meted out to the CHC. In a palliative response, the health department has announced posting of doctors. But in reality, the department has done nothing to make the situation better, locals alleged.
Their allegation was corroborated by the fact that about 60 patients, including three pregnant women, experiencing labour pain, turned up Sunday. They got themselves registered and went on waiting till noon, but none turned up, enraging the patients and their relatives.
Later, some senior citizens arrived after being informed. Their inquiry revealed that doctors were absent on that day.
Members of Regional Action Committee, including Durgaprasad Prusty, Shreekant Sahoo, Santosh Bihari, Babuli Sethy, Jnanaranjan Sahoo and Binod Maharana contacted the Chief District Medical Officer but failed to get any satisfactory reply from him.
Expressing their concern, the members have decided to intensify their agitation in the coming days.
CDMO Dr Pradeepta Mahapatra said, “Patients suffered as it was Sunday. Monday, two doctors will be there and within a week healthcare will be streamlined.”
Apparently, a few false posts by some youths claiming five doctors have been posted at the CHC have stoked the residents’ anger.
PNN