Bhubaneswar: Even though the state government has announced many projects to boost healthcare infrastructure under Mo Sarkar, funds crunch has thrown spanner on many such projects.
Sources said at least 57 infrastructure projects have been approved for critical medical institutions in districts like Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Boudh, Phulbani, Nayagarh, Samablpur, Deogarh and Angul. Out of these, only two projects have been completed. Remaining 55 will be taken up after receiving fund from the Health department, sources said.
The Works department has estimated that Rs 1187.16 crore will be required in three years starting 2020-21 FY to execute the projects. Out of the estimated Rs 1187.16 crore, Rs 149.28 crore will be required for the current year while Rs 481.11 crore has been earmarked for 2021-22 and Rs 556.77 crore for 2022-23, the sources said.
Works department chief engineer had written a letter to Health department additional chief secretary PK Mohapatra in this regard a month ago. As it yielded no result, Works department special secretary Hemanta Kumar Padhi has urged Health department to release Rs 149.28 crore for early implementation of the projects.
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti last year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had launched his government’s new governance initiative ‘Mo Sarkar’. As part of this programme, senior government officers including Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner and secretaries visited hospitals in various districts and made necessary recommendations before the CM to improve the healthcare facility in the area. However, the progress made so far on healthcare infrastructure front is far from impressive.
