On December 4 , 2017, the shifting of District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) was initiated from Mangal Bazaar to the new building in Balijhuri block, five km from here.
The new six-storied building with 300 beds was constructed at a cost of Rs 42.23 crore. On completion of the building, it was decided by the district administration to shift the main hospital along with the administrative offices of Health Department there.
In the first phase, shifting of CDMO and ADMO office to the new building was taken up. But opposition was received from all quarters for shifting of main hospital as no prior arrangements was done in the new building.
As no wide approach road was constructed to the new building, agitation continued to prevent the shifting of the DHH.
The BJD and the Congress indulged in a blame game on the issue. Some organisations held a fast unto death stir from December 10 to 28 in front of the old DHH building at Mangal Bazaar.
Even a Jharsuguda Bandh was held by different organisations on December 20, 2017 against the shifting to Balijhuri.
During inauguration of the new building on January 4, 2018 by Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena, an unpleasant situation was triggered due to the hot exchange of words between the Congress and BJD activists.
However, the agitation was called off after a notification was issued with by the State Government to run an Urban Health Centre in the old building.
At present, all administrative offices of Health Department have started functioning in the new building along with an Out Patient Department (OPD). The Dialysis Centre has started functioning. But due to the shortage of doctors healthcare services are hampered.
When contacted, DHH CDMO Manas Samantray said the district is facing acute shortage of doctors which would be taken care of with joining of eight to nine doctors by December 15. The problem would be sorted out soon and shifting of main hospital would be done.