Basudevpur: Even as over 20,000 people are dependent on Edatal primary health centre (PHC) under Basuvevpur block in Bhadrak district, the PHC has no doctors rendering it useless for locals. The hospital is also plagued by shortage of paramedics and infrastructure while its building is in a precarious condition posing risk to the lives of patients.
Reports said people of Edatal, Padmapur, Lunga, Brahmani gaon panchayats, Guagadia and several other neighbouring villages have long been deprived of healthcare services.
After repeated reminders, Dr Bhargab Mallick had joined September 12, 2017, but he went on leave from the next day to pursue his post-graduation course.
About 50 to 60 people turn up at the PHC from distant places with hopes of treatment on a daily basis only to return upset as there are no doctors in sight, it was learnt.
The hospital is currently run by a pharmacist, an ANM and an attendant.
Locals alleged that two buildings have developed big cracks, making it risky for the patients as well as the staff.
Though authorities have identified them as unsafe, they have not yet been pulled down.
“There are no dressing and delivery rooms here. Even the PHC has no quarters for the staff. The boundary wall has not been completed. A building for the PHC remains incomplete too. Though the authorities were apprised of the shortcomings, nothing is being done,” said pharmacist Prabhat Kumar Dhusal. PNN
