Chandrapur: An Ayurvedic hospital in Hanumantpur panchayat under this block in Rayagada district has been transformed into a school due to lack of doctors and other facilities.
The hospital in Chandrapur, one of the oldest in the locality, had been in a dilapidated condition for two decades. The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) demolished the building and constructed a new one with the hope that the hospital would flourish. But it did not happen due to lack of facilities.
Locals complained that the doctor posted at the hospital stays in Rayagada. “He is absent for months. He visits the hospital, may be, once in three months. However, he draws his salary on a regular basis,” said a large number of people among who were Sambhu Gadaka and Shankar Pradhani.
The locals have also written to the District Collector highlighting their plight and pointing out that the doctor and the peon are drawing their salaries every month without attending duty.
As most of the people living in the vicinity of the hospital are poor, this is their only place for treatment in case someone falls ill. There have been cases wherein patients have died due to lack of medical facilities.
With a school being run on the hospital premises, the villagers have urged the Collector to intervene and restore the hospital with facilities.
Dr Subodh Kumar Boda, who is in charge of the hospital, said he has plenty of other duties to attend to. “I have been entrusted with four additional charges including the upkeep of Dimiriguda hospital in Muniguda block,” he said.
“The new building is yet to be officially handed over to us. However, I will go to Hanumantpur to assess the situation and do the needful,” he added.
PNN