TV
Despite the Odisha government's multi-crore efforts to transform Cuttack's SCB Medical College and Hospital into a world-class AIIMS Plus institute, patients continue to suffer due to the lack of basic facilities. One of the most pressing issues is the absence of an in-house photocopy facility, forcing patients and their attendants to walk over half a kilometre outside the campus to get prescriptions photocopied, an essential requirement before undergoing diagnostic tests.
No Photocopy, No Test
Over 3,000 patients visit SCB Medical’s outdoor departments daily, with the highest footfall in the Super Speciality and Medicine wings. After long queues for tickets and consultations, doctors prescribe a range of tests.
This requirement is especially enforced in the Haematology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry departments, where patients are denied tests unless a photocopy of the prescription is submitted.
Attendants Raise Alarm Over Inconvenience
Amitabh Jena, a patient’s attendant, expressed his frustration and said, “We are forced to leave the patient unattended just to get the prescription photocopied. It’s creating a serious inconvenience. Photocopy machines should be installed within the hospital to support attendants.”
Suresh Mohanty, a social worker, added, “We’ve raised this issue several times in the past. While some departments have been provided with scanners and printers following complaints, many still lack this facility, which continues to trouble patients and their attendants.”
Hospital Promises Change
Responding to the matter, Subash Chandra Ray, Registrar of SCB Medical College and Hospital, said, “The remaining departments without photocopy facilities are currently being upgraded to ensure internet and scanner access. We’ve informed OCAC, and C-DAC is working on it. The required facilities should be in place by next week.”
