Bhograi: Not long ago, four homoeopathic centres had catered to the healthcare needs of thousands of people in this block of Balasore district.
But, sadly, healthcare services at these centres are affected due to staff and infrastructure crunch with people in the fringe areas being forced to seek treatment in nearby hospitals of West Bengal.
Reports said a majority of the population in Bhograi block are deprived of treatment at homoeopathic hospitals located at Sukhasandha, Barbatia, Nafrai and Purusottampur.
They do not have regular doctors and other staffers. Worse, they don’t have even watchmen. Locals said when these hospitals were run well, patients from fringe areas of West Bengal used to come here. But now, patients from here are forced to visit hospitals in the neighbouring state.
The Sukhasandha hospital was set up in 1990. Over 30,000 people of Panasandha, Mandarasahi, Deula and Anagya panchayats who availed of healthcare services, have been unable to get treatment here since 2008 as there is no regular doctor. The hospital opens Saturdays when Dr Prabhat Kumar Pradhan comes here from Parulai homoeopathic centre. On other days, a compounder takes care of patients.
Only one doctor has to look after Barabatia and Nafrai homoeopathic centres. Doctor Kamalakant Sahu finds it difficult to treat patients at both the places, that too without compounders.
Worse, Purusottampur homoeopathic clinic is virtually of no use as it doesn’t have a doctor or a compounder. For one day, Dr Mohan Kumar Behera from Kalikapur hospital under Jaleswar block attends to patients.
Another problem is the hospitals at Sukhasandha, Nafrai and Barabatia have no residential facility for doctors and staffers.
Locals said in such a situation they have no way but to seek treatment at hospitals in West Bengal.
Panisandha sarpanch Rajib Tola, samiti member Jayant Tola and several other people’s representatives demanded that the state government immediately appoint doctors and compounders at Sukhasandha hospital. PNN
