BERHAMPUR: The trauma care centre at MKCG Medical College and Hospital campus in Berhampur city of South Orissa is yet to be operational even after one-and-half year of its inauguration. The then Union minister of state for rural development, Chandrasekhar Sahu, inaugurated the centre on March 2, 2009 in haste just before the election code of conduct came into existence. Earlier, it had been planed to inaugurate it on February 11, 2009. But it was shelved as the then Union minister, Oscar Fernandes, did not turn up.
Stone-laying ceremony of the project was also held amidst much fanfare on December 23, 2006.
Although the building was inaugurated, it was reportedly not constructed as per guidelines of the Central government. Excess expenditure was made in the construction of the ground floor. Owing to it, construction of the first floor was not taken up till date.
The haste shown by the authorities to get the trauma care unit inaugurated was not repeated to get it functional. It is yet to get proper number of doctors to manage it. So, it remains defunct and its instruments remain unused.
Doctors' requirement
According to medical college authorities, the unit needs at least five doctors. The centre is supposed to take care of trauma patients, particularly those injured in road accidents, say hospital sources.
The Central government had provided Rs. 1.50 crore for the establishment of the unit. It has also provided Rs. 67 lakhs for its equipment. The medical college administration says the State government has been apprised of the situation and it will be functional soon.
The trauma care center, when starts functioning, will be of great use for the victims of accidents on NH5 and NH217.
Some 600 accidents occur every year near the city. It is felt some of these victims can be saved once this unit becomes functional.
Courtesy: The Hindu
No comments:
Post a Comment