Champua: Though Champua sub-divisional hospital was set up in 1910; it has failed to cater to the healthcare needs of the local populace till date, it is alleged. With eye problems increasing day by day in Keonjhar district, patients are unable to get glasses as entitled under Sunetra Yojana.
This Yojana has reportedly flopped in Champua with many eye patients alleging that they are unable to get free glasses even after waiting for long.
Under the scheme, eye patients are entitled to free eye check-up and glasses. Every day, patients from far-off places come to this hospital for eye check-up but most of them have not yet got their glasses even several months after eye check-up.
Reports said over 50 patients were enrolled for free glasses but they have not been provided glasses.
Notably, a meeting was held in June over successful implementation of the programme. The chief district medical officer, the state co-coordinator of the Sunetra Yojana, the district programme manager and optician assistants were present.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched Sunetra scheme January 15 this year in order to provide free eye care to all the people of the state.
The programme was aimed at achieving the target of universal eye health care by 2023.
Under this scheme, the eye care and necessary treatments are available at all government-run community health centres (CHCs), sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs), district headquarter hospitals (DHHs) and medical colleges.
Though no document is required to avail these free eye care benefits, patients have to register at their local CHCs, SDHs, DHHs and medical colleges.
Notably, the government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 680 crore for five years with Rs 50 crore to be spent in the first year.
Under the Sunetra scheme, eye check-ups are also supposed to be conducted at every school in the state every year. In case of operation, it will be done free of cost.
Critical eye surgery is done at appropriate hospitals free of cost while free power glasses will be distributed to the students having vision problems.
However, locals in Champua alleged that all such benefits are only on record but not followed in reality.
PNN