An ICU was opened for the third time, after failure in last two times, at the District Headquarters Hospital. Baleswar MP RK Jena this time inaugurated it making rosy promises. The unit would be utilized for patients who require undergoing special emergency care during critical illness. Earlier, the ICU was inaugurated twice but it failed to operate mainly due to want of doctors and staff. It was set up at Rs 40 lakh out of contribution made by industrial houses of the district.
“The unit would function with two specialized doctors, six staff nurses and other attendants. Further, we would be recruiting one more doctor and four nursing staff for the ICU,” informed CDMO Dr Bhabani Shankar Pani. “It is a six-bedded establishment and most of the equipment required for the ICU are being procured,” he further informed. Besides the home district, patients from neighbouring districts and West Bengal, also come to the DHH.
“The unit opened as special care unit earlier couldn’t run due to want of staff. Now, the special unit is equipped with machinery facility and man power. The State Government is taking a holistic approach for improvement of healthcare system. In the coming days, Baleswar would witness a sea change in the sector with medical college and other establishments,” said MP Jena. During the opening ceremony, district Collector Sanatan Mallick and ZP President Umilata Das were present. Meanwhile, Forum for People’s Cause staged dharana in front of the hospital demanding adequate doctors and staff. The agitators also demanded immediate opening of a trauma care centre.