Sambalpur: The state government has proposed the second AIIMS in tribal-dominated Sundargarh district.
Both the state and the central governments had earlier initiated the process for the establishment of the facility, but the efforts have slowed down, it was alleged.
Now, doctors and students of VIMSAR have pressed for setting up of the second AIIMS in Sundargarh. They have sent postcards to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take expeditious steps in this direction.
It may be noted here that people of some districts in western Odisha had staged protests for the AIIMS in their respective districts.
Hundreds of students and doctors – Ashok Panigrahi, Sanjib Mishra, Ashok Kumar Dhal, Pinak Prasad Bhal and Hemanta Patel — organised a meeting Thursday and urged the Prime Minister to take necessary steps for setting of AIIMS in Sundargarh.
In their postcards, they have mentioned that Sundargarh has various facilities like Jharsuguda Airport and Biju Expressway for connectivity, apart from good infrastructure in education and medical education.
If AIIMS is set up in the district, people of other western Odisha districts, neighbouring Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will avail of medical services.
Dr Sanjib Mishra said Sundargarh district is a tribaldominated one and tribal people will get quality healthcare services through AIIMS. The second AIIMS will bring about a change in healthcare sector in entire western Odisha.
It may be noted here that former chief secretary Asit Tripathy had proposed the central government in 2020 for setting up of the second AIIMS in Sundargarh.
Thereafter, various outfits in different districts staged protests demanding the facilities in their districts.
PNN