Strong resentment is growing among the denizens of Baleswar due to inordinate delay in resumption of OPD services at the newly-constructed AIIMS unit here in the district.
Reports said although the construction works for the OPD building and staff quarters have been completed, yet it couldn’t begin its OPD services due to non-availability of doctors. Although the AIIMS authorities had sought applications for doctors and specialists yet none has applied for the posts, reports said, adding further although applications were invited from the retired doctors for the AIIMS satellite centre yet only few have applied for the posts.
Sources said although advertisement for 26 regular doctor and specialist posts was made yet none evinced interest which has become a cause of concern for the authorities. The non-fulfillment of doctor posts has been the reason for the delay in inauguration and beginning of the OPD services.
In 2013, the Government had declared the establishment of an AIIMS satellite centre at Baleswar. The project remained in cold storage for years for some reason or the other and rumours flew thick and fast that the project would be shifted to another district. However, due to vehement protests of the residents, the project was again taken up and the district administration, accordingly, handed over about 25 acres of land under Remuna block near NH-16 of village Samalpur for it. The Central Government sanctioned Rs 35 crore for the first phase works and out of the fund with Rs 5 crore the building for OPD and staff was constructed. A target was set to open OPD service by April 2020. However, due to Covid, the construction works while got delayed again, the target was again fixed for March 2021. However, when the construction works are completed the non-availability of doctors has become a bottleneck.
However, other reports said the satellite centre would be inaugurated by the new AIIMS Director of Bhubaneswar AIIMS and the authorities are mooting plans that the doctors from Bhubaneswar would be providing OPD services till the time the vacancies are filled.