BOUDH:(Correspondent):- The newly constructed District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) was officially inaugurated on Saturday. But it runs without basic facilities as whole dist healthcare remains in dire condition in Boudh.However, the inauguration has sparked concerns, as the hospital reportedly began functioning without a permanent electricity connection. Temporary power was arranged through diesel generator and decorative lighting, raising questions about the facility’s readiness for public healthcare services.Sources indicate that the hospital has not yet been officially handed over to the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO). The premises are currently being guarded by private security personnel engaged through the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. In the absence of a regular power supply and full administrative control, concerns have been raised about the safety and security of expensive medical equipment and machinery installed in the hospital.Several crucial requirements remain pending. The mandatory Fire Safety Certificate has reportedly not been issued, while building approval formalities are yet to be completed. Moreover, essential services such as blood bank facilities are not operational.Residents of Boudh district, along with people from Rairakhol, Athamallik, and Birmaharajpur who depend on the district hospital for advanced healthcare, continue to face difficulties. The situation has intensified public disappointment, as patients are still struggling to access adequate medical services.The healthcare system in rural areas remains equally alarming. Nearly two-thirds of doctor positions and around 80 percent of specialist posts in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and other healthcare institutions remain vacant, severely affecting the quality of healthcare delivery.Intellectuals, social activists, and concerned citizens have urged the administration and elected representatives, including MLAs and MPs, to address these issues without delay. They have called for immediate corrective measures to ensure that the hospital becomes fully functional and capable of serving the people effectively, emphasizing that access to quality healthcare is a matter of humanity and public welfare.
