Rourkela: Resentment brewed among people following closure of a homeopathy hospital at Nabakrushnanagar—a lone health centre in the area in Sundargarh district.
Residents alleged over 10,000 people belonging to Nabakrushna Nagar, Talabalijodi, IDL, Bhanja Colony, Gopabandhunagar, Dharamdihi and Kalimandira areas depend on the hospital.
Citing a number of reasons, the civic body closed the hospital after the steel city was declared a municipal corporation. While people inside the city get proper treatment, those on the outskirts fail to get basic health services.
While there are special hospitals for employees and contract workers of Rourkela Steel Plant, many are deprived of this service, locals said. People have to travel 15 km to get healthcare at the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) or a private nursing home. However, it is not possible for them to afford such health services, they rued.
Residents of the area mentioned that they were hopeful of getting better healthcare services after formation of the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC). The civic body took a slew of measures to provide proper road communication, electricity and drinking water facility in their area. However, no measures were taken to improve the healthcare facility in the region.
On the other hand, the homeopathic hospital, which was their mainstay, was closed down, they alleged.
They had pressed their demand several times in the past to make the health centre functional, but in vain.
In the meantime, some people were making attempts to encroach on the land, they added.
When contacted, RMC commissioner Akshay Mallick said measures are being taken to renovate the health centre. PNN
