Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

The super-speciality hospital near Sitalapalli village on the outskirts of Berhampur city is lying shut after its completion around four years ago.

As per reports, the 500-bed hospital was set up by Tata Steel. The hospital was proposed to have advanced diagnostics and surgery facilities along with emergency services. Odisha government has provided 400 acres of land and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the hospital in 2014.

The hospital was constructed within the stipulated time period. Initially, it was used to treat Covid-19 patients during the pandemic. However, the pandemic subsided subsequently, but the hospital has remained closed since. 

Locals have alleged that many costly instruments have been damaged as the hospital has been locked for over four years. As per their allegations, the government is hatching a conspiracy to sell the hospital to a private player. They have demanded the opening of the hospital soon.

“The hospital was earlier used to treat Covid patients. However, we just came to know that the government is mulling to sell the medical to a private body and run it in a commercial manner, which is not acceptable at all. We strongly condemn the motive and urge people to demand the opening of the hospital soon,” said senior doctor Subash Sahu.

“People were hopeful of better health services in the region after the completion of the hospital. The super-speciality hospital in the region gave them some hope. However, the delay in providing the services has shattered their hope. We hope Tata authorities and the administration will take immediate steps to dedicate the hospital to the public soon,” said Sushant Sabat, a resident of Berhampur.

Healthcare is a major problem in South Odisha. People in the region mainly depend upon MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for treatment. However, patients are often referred to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as advanced treatment is not available there. Under such circumstances, the delay in the opening of the super-speciality hospital has added to the woes of people.

Meanwhile, Berhampur MP Chandra Sekhar Sahu assured that the hospital will be opened soon.

“Discussions are going on with the higher authorities. The hospital will be dedicated to the public soon,” said Sahu.
 

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