Jeypore yet to see extended DHH even after six years of its shift from Koraput

With only a limited number of doctors, healthcare has always been a point of concern for Odisha. When Saheed Laxman Naik Medical College and Hospital was established in Koraput, it was decided to shift the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) to Jeypore in 2018.

However, after six years of the start of the construction of the extended building, it is yet to be completed.

The people in the know of things opine that apart from the infrastructure, the hospital needs a skilled administrator. The meetings of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti should be held continuously to improve the health services, but that allegedly hasn't happened in the last 10 months.

An officer has reportedly been appointed to improve the administration at the hospital, but he allegedly remains absent for most of the days.

“We should first thank the State government for providing a good infrastructure for healthcare in Jeypore. The new doctors here are providing good healthcare too. But the problem remains in specialised healthcare. Patients are subjected to wait for days to get specialised care. Even the behaviour of the nursing staff is not good,” said a senior citizen Prafulla Padhi.

While the government has been talking about the appointment of specialist doctors, the Jeypore district headquarters hospital continues to function as a referral centre.

“Despite shifting of the DHH to Jeypore six years back, the CDMO stays in Koraput. An administrative officer was appointed to manage during crisis. But he too is staying in Koraput and seldom comes to Jeypore,” alleged Koraput Public Rights Association President, Debendra Bahinipati.

Asked about the allegations and shortcomings, retired Jeypore CDMO Arun Padhi said, “Not only the buildings and structure, but many equipment and medicines have been added too. But the human resource development cannot be done overnight. It takes time to create specialised doctors.”