Uncertainty looms over hospital upgradation

JEYPORE:  Uncertainty looms large over upgradation of Jeypore sub-divisional hospital into a district headquarters hospital (DHH) as the Health department is yet to provide adequate staff and infrastructure for the purpose. As per a declaration of the department, it was decided to shift the Jeypore hospital to a new building near Umuri by upgrading its status. The process was scheduled to be completed by May this year.

However, the shifting of the hospital has been kept on hold due to inadequate staff and lack of infrastructure, including advanced medical equipment. Sources said the State Government had proposed the project by earmarking over 20 acres of land and sanctioning `10 crore. The construction of the new hospital building is already completed, but non-availability of requisite number of doctors and other paramedical staff has pushed the project into uncertainty. At least 30 doctors, 70 other staffers and advanced medical equipment are required at the new building as per norms. The hospital presently has seven doctors and 20 other staffers and it is not possible for the district health administration to run the DHH with such limited manpower.

Recently, the Director of the Health department had visited the Koraput DHH, which has been upgraded into a medical college and hospital, and directed the CDMO to shift some staff and medical equipment to make the Jeypore hospital functional. Meanwhile, Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati has appealed to the State Government to provide adequate resources to make the DHH functional. Jeypore SDMO DB Tripathy informed that the sub-divisional hospital would be shifted to the new building after proper facilities are available.