Jharigaon: The digital dispensary at Telanadi panchayat under this block in Nabarangpur district has so far failed to provide the specified facilities even though a year has passed since its inception, sources said.
In December, 2017 the then Collector of the district, Rashmita Panda signed an MoU with Glocal Healthcare Systems (P) Ltd, in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for setting up of digital dispensaries. Subsequently it was announced that the dispensaries would be launched in 14 villages in Nabarangpur district in the first phase.
Jharigaon block’s three villages namely Chakalapadar, Badatemara and Telanadi got a digital dispensary facility each. The one at Telanadi village however, is yet to start functioning.
“More than a year has passed since the opening of digital dispensary at Telanadi village, but we are yet to receive the facilities promised,” alleged some villagers.
At the time of inception, people were informed that primary health services would be available at their doorsteps. The digital dispensary centres would also function as an OPD in virtual consultation with doctors through video conferencing. Primary healthcare facilities like various blood and urine tests and dispensing of medicines would be free of cost. But nothing has materialised so far.
An investigation has revealed that the Telanadi dispensary is yet to be connected with the communication network which is essential for it to tie-up with hospitals.
The dispensary has a huge stock of medicines, apart from a pharmacist, a nurse and an attendant. Locals alleged that they are getting their salaries without doing anything and hence a huge sum of money is being wasted.
Local residents are yet to understand as to why the administration is not serious about making the dispensary functional. “The Collector and the chief district medical officer (CDMO) are not taking any measures to make the dispensary functional. It is really shocking,” local residents fumed.
PNN