Four years after inauguration, Balasore AIIMS satellite centre still falls short of full healthcare services

Four years after its inauguration, the AIIMS Satellite Centre at Balasore is yet to become fully operational, leaving the long-standing aspiration of residents for advanced healthcare facilities largely unmet.

At present, the satellite centre offers only limited outpatient department (OPD) services, functioning just two days a week. Facilities for indoor treatment remain unavailable, compelling critically ill patients to travel to Bhubaneswar or other distant cities for specialised medical care. Several departments continue to remain non-functional due to the absence of specialist doctors.

Infrastructure and Staffing Gaps

Basic facilities such as laboratories and medicine stores are yet to be made operational. Patients have also raised concerns over the lack of regularly posted doctors, stating that frequent changes in attending physicians affect continuity of care and treatment quality.

According to official data, the centre catered to around 8,550 patients in 2020, the year it began functioning. However, patient footfall has declined sharply over the years, with only 440 patients visiting the OPD by February 2025, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the limited services available.

It has also been alleged that patient registrations at the Balasore satellite centre are not being recognised by AIIMS Bhubaneswar, adding to the grievances of those seeking follow-up treatment.

Public Resentment Grows

Local residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in operationalising the centre, pointing out that a fully functional facility would serve not only northern Odisha but also the bordering districts of West Bengal.

“Doctors from several departments remain absent. The Odisha and Central governments should give special focus to this satellite centre,” said Mitrabandhu Palei, a local resident.

Echoing the sentiment, Sheikh Sarfadin, another resident, said, “The satellite centre exists only on paper. Constructing a building serves no purpose unless doctors are appointed. We urge the government to take necessary measures.”

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Raising similar concerns, Gouranga Panigrahi, a member of the Government Medical Coordination Committee, alleged that OPD services being limited to Fridays and Saturdays, along with the absence of diagnostic facilities, have contributed to the steady decline in patient numbers.

Assurance from AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Responding to the criticism, Dillip Kumar Parida, Medical Superintendent of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, assured that the Balasore Satellite Centre would be made fully functional soon. He said comprehensive healthcare services would begin once the ongoing recruitment process is completed.

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“The satellite centre was established without recruiting separate manpower for its operation. We have initiated the recruitment process, and the facility is expected to become fully operational within the next three months,” Parida said.

Despite the assurance, residents continue to wait, questioning when the promise of accessible and advanced healthcare in Balasore will finally be fulfilled.