BARGARH: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday targeted the BJP government over ‘deteriorating’ healthcare system in Bargarh and warned of protests if immediate steps were not taken to improve the situation.
Addressing mediapersons here, BJD leaders including the party’s district president Sushanta Mahapatra and former ministers Snehangini Chhuria and Rita Sahu alleged that out of nearly 600 sanctioned doctor posts in Bargarh, only 30 per cent have been filled up. Around 30 doctors are pursuing higher studies. This apart, 60 per cent of paramedical staff posts remain vacant, leaving healthcare in the district in a state of crisis.
The BJD leaders also criticised the state government for neglecting the cancer hospital established by former chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The hospital, designed as a ‘ground plus five’ facility with advanced infrastructure including radiotherapy, medical oncology, surgical oncology OPDs, ICU, PET CT, day-care beds and gamma chambers, was inaugurated in January 2024 and partially made functional with a few doctors and paramedical staff.
However, since the BJP assumed power in 2024, the hospital has gradually fallen into neglect, depriving locals of advanced healthcare services, they claimed.
“It is unfortunate that when Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling is the BJP’s observer for Bargarh district, the cancer hospital has been left unattended. The hospital should be made fully operational to provide quality healthcare to locals. If the government fails to take any step in this regard, the party will be forced to take to the streets,” the BJD leaders warned.
Among others, former MLA Debesh Acharya, municipality chairperson Kalpana Majhi, vice-president Rajesh Agrawala and BYJD president Pradyumna Tripathy were present.