Balasore: Alleging poor healthcare services in Nilagiri hospital, Union Minister and Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi on Saturday said that the Odisha government must take immediate steps to reinstate doctors at the centre. The allegations of Sarangi came after 35 persons including 5 children showed symptoms of diarrhoea after attending a feast at Totapada village in the district and admitted to Nilagiri hopsital.
The Union Minister urged the chief district medical officer to deploy a medical team in the village as several others are also reportedly sick and need urgent medical attention.
“All the 35 persons have been admitted to Nilagiri hospital. It seems that the locals consumed some contaminated food at a feast organized in the village. The SDMO was not available at the hospital and only two lady doctors managed the situation,” said Sarangi.
Sarangi further stated that as more persons are showing similar symptoms, there is an urgent need to provide immediate treatment to those affected.
“The Niligiri hospital is reeling under neglect and patients are not getting required medical treatment here. I urge administration and Odisha government to reinstate doctors who have been taken on deputation. At present, there is shortage of 150 doctors in Balasore district,” Sarangi added.
“At least 30 to 40 people had consumed food at the feast organised at Begunia panchayat. We had immediately rushed the patients to the hospital after they complained of vomiting and developed other health complications. Though all villagers depend on the hospital, it lacks proper facilities and there is dearth of doctors as well,” said Tapas Mohanty, a local resident.
Nilagiri SDMO Ajay Samal said, “After we came to know that about the incident, we immediately mobilised staff and provided treatment to the patients and their condition is now stable.”
On Union Minister Pratap Sarangi’s allegations, Samal admitted that there is dearth of doctors including medicine specialist in the hospital. We have already brought the matter to the notice of CDMO for necessary action,” he added.
