Sarangi Demands Special Funds For Development Of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Pratap Sarangi has demanded allocation of special funds from the Centre for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Bhubaneswar in order to augment the infrastructure and facilities at the super specialty hospital in the State capital.

Sarangi, who represents the Balasore Parliamentary constituency, called on Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi on Wednesday to put forward the demand.

Sarangi also urged to expedite the recruitment of faculties  and non-faculty positions in the institute to meet the growing demands of patient care.

"AIIMS, Bhubaneswar being one of the six ABMS set up under flagship Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has the highest patients load vis-a-vis its counterparts. It is creating tremendous pressure on the existing faculty/staff , its healthcare infrastructure and facilities. At present, funds are uniformly allocated to all these six AIIIMS disregarding the vital aspect of patient load. Besides, faculty recruitment has been an issue in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar as the proposed additional posts creation has been pending with the apex decision making authorities for quite some time," Sarangi wrote in the letter which he presented to Vardhan during the meeting.

"Bhubaneswar has been facing acute shortage in the faculty and non-faculty positions though a large number of vacancies are available. The situation has become indeed deplorable over the years, more so during the pandemic time when vital services in the hospital had to be shut down due to faculty/staff crunch," he wrote adding that the infrastructure and facilities highlighting the stature of ABMS are still not in place.

Sarangi also mentioned that the absence of super specialty doctors in several disciplines combined with lack of requisite medical infrastructure and facilities have contributed towards a scenario where patients are forced to seek treatment in private hospitals which are costly. Many of the patients are forced to avail treatment outside the State including AIIMS, Delhi.

According to reports, Vardhan has assured Sarangi to look into the demands and take necessary steps immediately.

"Honourable  Minister has assured that he will address the concerns of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar," tweeted Sarangi.