Rupsa: Basta community health centre (CHC) in Balasore district that caters to the healthcare needs of thousands of people of about half a dozen blocks, has reportedly turned into a hub of exploitation.
According to sources, while the CHC is plagued by vacancies of doctors and paramedical staff, patients who are entitled to free healthcare, have to pay for the services.
In cases of delivery, patients have to pay anything between Rs 300 and Rs 400, alleged sources. Surprisingly, medical staffers charge Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 for autopsy of bodies, it was alleged.
The health centre was set up in February 1982 with 30 beds. It was upgraded as a first referral unit August 15, 2003 with 50 beds. Since then, thousands of people in Basta, Baliapal, Jaleswar and Rasgobindapur (Mayurbhanj) blocks have been dependent on it for their healthcare needs. Apart from the daily rush of patients the health centre also receives critical trauma cases following accidents on NH-60.
The government, however, appears to have a turned a blind eye towards the problems plaguing the health centre.
Posts of doctors in surgery, paediatrics, medicine, anesthesiology, and obstetrics and gynecology departments are lying vacant for years. Vacant posts – two of pharmacists, three of laboratory technicians and six of class-IV employees are yet to be filled up.
Locals alleged TB patients face hardships in availing treatment as the senior TB laboratory technician runs his own private pathological laboratory.
Only one laboratory technician is working, but he finds himself unable to conduct all kinds of tests.
Locals also alleged nurses and doctors charge Rs 300 to Rs 400 for each delivery case, even as healthcare services are supposed to be free for mothers and children under the Janani Surakhya Yojana.
Medical staffers also demand Rs 800 to Rs 1000 for post-mortem of bodies, while Rs 200 to Rs 300 is charged for death and birth certificates. The clerk of the death and birth registration department turns away those seeking certificates without paying money, locals alleged.
BJP leader Shyamaprasad Behera said there were eight doctors at the health centre. “Now, healthcare has been plagued by vacancies and lack of infrastructure. Patients are deprived of services even though Rogi Kalyan Samiti and National Health Mission have been formed. Patients are always exploited at the hospital,” he alleged.
President of Basta Congress unit, Satyanaryan Gupta, said, “Our party workers had staged a sit-in protest over vacancies October 10. The authorities concerned had then assured us of addressing the issue and ensuring free medicines to patients. However, nothing has been done till date. We will again stage an agitation if steps are not taken to fill up the vacancies and stop exploitation of patients.” PNN
