Balasore: Sunahat primary health centre, the oldest one in this district, remains out of bounds for patients as it is found locked most of the time.
Over 50,000 people of Hidigaon, Ranasahi, Chandipur and Patrapada panchayats and five wards of Balasore municipality solely depend on this 102-year-old health centre.
But in the absence of sufficient staff, the hospital remains closed most of the time and has turned to be a hangout zone of sorts for anti-social elements.
The health centre is run by a sole doctor and a pharmacist, who allegedly play truant most often, leaving patients in the lurch, it was learnt.
Locals observed that the departments of medicine, paediatrics and gynecology are most sought after in the hospital, but patients have to return without getting the required services.
The locals said despite all these shortcomings, the health department is not doing anything to improve the healthcare services.
Besides, the health centre is without a boundary wall, facilitating easy access to anti-social elements at night. Youths are spotted gambling on its premises as it remains deserted.
In the absence of a protective wall, some people have dumped scrap on the premises.
To verify the locals’ allegation, this correspondent paid a visit to the hospital, to find it locked then.
Social activist Bikram Panda said, “The hospital has completely failed to cater to the healthcare needs of the people. We demand that the collector should take steps for improvement of the situation.”
CDMO Dr Bhawanishankar Pani said he has no allegation about the situation at the hospital.
“Efforts are being made to modernise the health centre. There may be some problems due to lack of doctors. Modern healthcare services will be made available in Sunahat and other primary hospitals soon,” he added. PNN
