Malkangiri: A seven-storied building was built with an expenditure of Rs 49.5 crore alongside Kalimela main road in a bid to provide better healthcare facilities to the denizens of Malkangiri, the building no doubt sits pretty, but the hospital service is still a long way decorate.
Though four months have passed since the inauguration, patients are still waiting for proper healthcare services at the hospital.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a 300-beded department July 26 this year. However, the department has reportedly been lying defunct. Currently, only 125 beds are available for the patients while it witnesses more than 250 ailing footfalls every day.
Due to the unavailability of beds, the patients are compelled to get treatment lying on the floor. Adding to their woes, the hospital doesn’t give oxygen facility, it was learnt.
Patient care is hit badly due to the lack of doctors and nurses, it was alleged. While there is a requirement of 69 doctors at the district headquarters hospital, only 22 doctors are left to attend the patients. Moreover, all other posts like nurse and housekeeping staffs are also lying vacant as a result of which the patients and their family members are going through several tribulations while at the hospital.
Meanwhile, installation work for fire safety at the new building is still to complete due to which there is a high life risk for patients and their family members.
Likewise, the intensive care unit (ICU) and sick newborn care unit (SNCU) are also doddering in the old building of the hospital.
As the blood bank is located three kilometres away from the new hospital, patients suffering from blood deficiency are hanging in balance of the transportation woes.
Additional District Medical Officer, Anil Kumar Mishra said, “An advertisement has been released for filling up posts of 30 nurses. At least six doctors will be appointed at the hospital very soon.”
“The new hospital has been operational since last four months. The hospital will be accommodated with all necessary facilities by the State government in coming days,” he added.
On the other hand, a local resident pointed out that if the hospital continues to be in this miserable state, the government will fail to achieve its goal to provide proper healthcare services in the district.
PNN
