Kendrapara: The sorry state of healthcare in rural areas of this district can be gauged from the fact that patients at a government-run hospital get treatment under a tree in the absence of necessary infrastructure.
Babar primary health centre (PHC) in Gogua panchayat under Mahakalapara block was established in 1990 with an aim to provide health services to over 30,000 people of eight panchayats. Every day, about 50 patients visit the hospital. However, lack of infrastructure and shortage staff has been a major problem at the centre.
Though the centre has been functioning for more than two decades it doesn’t have a proper building. There are only half a dozen beds available for patients in the PHC, while piles of dirt found on the beds.
As the summer is at its peak patients suffer a lot due to lack of electricity supply at the patient’s treatment room. Unhygienic condition prevailing at the hospital along with lack of infrastructure forces the patients to get treatment under a tree, located on the premises.
A 40-year-old patient, Kamala Barik, was undergoing treatment for diarrhoea under the tree with saline drips administered to her. The saline bottle was tied to the branches of a tree, it was learnt.
Likewise, an octogenarian patient Kanchan Panda is also undergoing treatment under the tree due to lack of space in the health centre.
What is more shocking is that for the last three days, patients have been getting treatment from a pharmacist as the AYUSH doctor, Biswaranjan Das, in on leave while the only MBBS doctor Sukant Kumar Das has been sent on deputation to Rajkanika CHC.
The PHC has been functioning with a pharmacist, two health workers and two attendants.
“What should we do when the patients force us to provide treatment under the tree due to lack of infrastructure available at the hospital,” said Chaturbhuj Nayak, the pharmacist.
Meanwhile, locals demanded that infrastructure be put in place at the PHC.
When contacted, CDMO Baisnab Charan Sahoo, said he was yet to be informed about the state of affairs state at Babar PHC.
“It is unfortunate that patients get treatment under a tree. Under what circumstances this has been going on has to be probed. I would visit the hospital Monday and conduct an inquiry. If any officials are found guilty then necessary departmental action would be initiated against them,” said Sahoo.
More than 35 doctor posts have been lying vacant in the district. PNN
