Sonepur: Patient care at the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Subarnapur has been severely affected due to administrative lapses, with critical infrastructure lying unattended for years.
The air conditioning systems at the kidney dialysis unit, set up within the maternal and child health (MCH) complex, have remained non-functional for the past two years.
Despite repeated inconvenience to patients and staff, authorities have failed to repair the units.
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The dialysis centre, operated by a Chandigarh-based agency under an agreement with the state government, handles a growing number of kidney patients. Currently, dialysis is conducted in three shifts, serving around 21 patients daily.
As per medical norms, dialysis procedures should be carried out at around 25 degrees Celsius. However, due to the defunct ACs, patients are undergoing treatment in higher temperatures, leading to severe discomfort.
Each dialysis session lasts three to four hours, during which patients are struggling with heat and suffocation, particularly during the afternoon shift from noon to 4 pm.
Patients, attendants and hospital staff have expressed concern over the prolonged neglect.
They allege that despite drawing substantial salaries, administrative officials have not taken basic steps to address the issue.
There are also complaints that senior health officials rarely inspect the unit or take stock of the prevailing conditions.
Highlighting the issue, a kidney patient, Pabitra Mohan Negi, raised the matter on social media Friday, seeking intervention from the government and district administration.
He, however, appreciated the outsourced staff at the unit for their dedicated service and courteous behaviour towards patients.
With the number of kidney patients rising in the district, concerns are growing over the hospital’s preparedness to handle the load.
Locals and intellectuals have urged Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, who represents the neighbouring Loisingha constituency in Bolangir district, to personally visit the hospital and review the functioning of the health department officials.
The situation has triggered demands for immediate intervention to restore basic facilities and ensure humane conditions for patients undergoing life-saving treatment.