SAMBALPUR: Adding a feather to its cap, the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Sambalpur has been declared winner of Kayakalp Award, presented by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The DHH was recognised for its achievement in promoting cleanliness, hygiene and infection control practices and to create sustainable practices related to improved cleanliness in public health facilities linked to positive health outcomes. Meanwhile, with an aim to boost health services in the district, Collector Samarth Verma dedicated a single window service for thalassaemia and sickle cell patients at the DHH. This is to expedite their treatment since they require regular specialised attention and medicine.
Talking to ‘Express,’ Verma informed that a water ATM (vending) machine will be installed in DHH. While `1 will be charged for 500 ml, it will `2 for one litre water. The ATM has capacity to deliver 250 litres per hour and it is being installed with support from Canara Bank. The money collected would be spent for maintenance and repair of the machine, he added.
This apart, a park will also be developed in association with Marwari Mahila Manch on the hospital premises and plans are also on to construct a rest house for attendants at an estimated cost of `50 lakh besides an administrative block for the DHH at `3 crore. An effort is also underway to make Sambalpur cataract-free with help from Trilochan Netralaya. Sarda Gram Panchayat, located atop Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary in Jamankira block, has been identified for the pilot project. A facilitation centre will operate at DHH every second Wednesday for screening and operation of cataract patients.
A super-specialty hospital would soon be a reality in Burla, Verma said, adding that it will be developed at a cost of `150 crore and the project has been delayed for want of land. A patch of 15 acres of land near Lions School at Burla has been identified for the purpose.