Vacancies hit hospitals; poor left in the lurch
The health services in the district here have been affected badly with many posts lying vacant in various hospitals. It is a day dream for the poor tribals to get proper treatment.
Ultimately, the innocent people have to depend on quacks and resort to black magic and other modes of superstition often at the cost of their lives.
According to the information obtained through RTI in the district, out of 215 sanctioned doctor posts of different categories, 81 posts have been lying vacant for last many months.
The report reveals in the District Headquarters Hospital out of 51 sanctioned doctor posts, 25 are lying vacant. Similarly, while in Bonai sub-divisional hospital, 3 posts are lying vacant out of 13, it is three in Tangargaon CHC (Community Health Centre) out of seven, five out of eight in Koira CHC, one out of eight in lahunipara CHC, 2 out of 10 in Rajgangpur CHC, one out of seven in Bisra CHC, four out of 10 in Hemgiri UPHC, five out of seven in Kutra CHC, one out of ten in Sargipalli CHC, two out of seven in Kinjirkella CHC, two out of six in Kuarmunda CHC and five out of six in Hatibari CHC. While one post each is lying vacant in Biramitrapur, Ekma and Gurundia medicals, four posts in Birkera and all posts in S Bolanga are lying vacant.
Besides, out of the 134 posted doctors, many are either reported to be on long leave or reportedly not yet joined their respective health centre. Many doctors after their transfer remained on leave and busy in their private practices at their old posting places. That is why many primary health centres (PHCs) are running hardly with a pharmacist or a health worker. It is also learnt that as on date, over 50 per cent of required doctors, nurses and other paramedical posts are lying vacant here.
According to the sources, huge sums of money in health sectors are spent through different schemes. But it is unfortunate that the poor villagers of the district are yet to get sound health services. Day by day, malaria, asthma, cancer, leprosy, heart and kidney patients are increasing in the district due to many reasons, including pollution for massive industrialisation and mining works. But many of them are losing lives untimely due to absence of medical facilities. Now, lungs infected patients are rampant in the district.
While the Government hospitals failed to provide minimum health services to the rural people, many sufferers have to depend on the Rourkela Steel Plant- managed Ispat General Hospital. But day by day, its condition has been deteriorating gradually due to poor administration and staff crunch. So those who are moneyed men move to Bhubaneswar or other big cities for appropriate treatment, while the poor have to die.
Being an industrial district, the role of ESIC hospital should have been vital here. But due to the apathetic decision of both the State and the Central Governments, it remains a far cry.
“Sundargarh is filled with minerals like coal, iron ore and manganese. Besides, 60 per cent of its area is covered with dense forest. There are many industries in the district whose revenue contribution is high.
But despite all these, there seems to be no end to the sufferings of the people in getting proper health services,” lamented many NGO activists here.