Sunabeda/Semiliguda/Nandapur: The state government has established 67 ayurvedic hospitals in the undivided Koraput district but a lack of infrastructure, manpower, and proper medicines has hit their functioning and treatment of visiting patients, a report said Friday. At the time, ayurvedic treatment was given utmost importance as it was very cost-effective, organic, and free from side effects. However, with the passage of time and the advent of allopathic medicines, the traditional form of treatment has lost its popularity to a great extent.
As a result, 67 ayurvedic hospitals established in the undivided Koraput district are in a dilapidated condition much to the discomfort and resentment of visiting patients and their attendants. The damaged infrastructure of a Government Ayurvedic Hospital at Hataguda village under Panthalung panchayat of Nandapur block in Koraput district is a case at this point. The residents of 23 panchayats under Nandapur block are dependent on this ayurvedic hospital for healthcare. However, with the walls and asbestos roof beginning to crumble, patients are slowly turning away from this hospital. A doctor Shibaram Murmu said that patients having various ailments are visiting the hospital on a daily basis.
However, the unavailability of proper medicines has hit their treatment. Moreover, the shortage of manpower is another roadblock in the treatment of patients. “I have been appointed at Hataguda hospital but also have to visit Debgandhana hospital under Lamtaput block owing to an inadequate number of doctors.
As a result, I have to work in these two hospitals on a rotation basis,” he added. Sarpanch Puja Khil of Panthalung panchayat alleged that the staff of these two hospitals double up as doctors and treat the patients by consulting with the doctor over the phone when there is no doctor in their hospital. She demanded the state government’s intervention to improve the infrastructure and staff strength at Hataguda Ayurvedic hospital. When contacted, AYUSH director Kashi Biswanath Soren confirmed the development. He said that issues like the absence of proper infrastructure, doctors, and manpower shortage are not only limited to Nandapur block but the situation is the same all over the undivided Koraput district. Soren said there are 67 ayurvedic hospitals in undivided Koraput – 18 for 14 blocks of Koraput, 22 in Nabarangpur, seven in Malkangiri, and 20 in Rayagada district.
All the hospitals are very old and lack proper infrastructure, doctors, and manpower. He said there are nine doctors, 11 assistants, and two peons in 18 hospitals of Koraput; 10 doctors, eight assistants and five peons for 22 hospitals in Nabarangpur, and two doctors, three assistants, and three peons in seven hospitals of Malkangiri district. Similarly, there are six doctors, 13 assistants, and four peons in 20 hospitals in Rayagada district. The situation has become dire as 15 doctors on the alibi of studying in PG course have been posted in the hospitals in Puri, Khurda, and Cuttack districts. In contrast, the attention of the departmental authorities has been drawn to appoint more doctors and staff in these hospitals, he added.