Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to inaugurate MKCG Medical College golden jubilee

Preparations were in final stages for the five- day golden jubilee celebration of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) medical college in the city, which is to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday. According to organising secretary of the golden jubilee celebration, S.N.Mohanty, it was an occasion to celebrate for whole of south Odisha as this institute happened to be the only medical college in this region. The hospital attached to the medical college was also the only referral hospital in south Odisha.

The State government had started a medical college in Berhampur in 1961. Due to dearth of its own campus it was being run in the building in front of the City Hospital, which is now being used as office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO). Later it was shifted to the building which is now being used as living quarters of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division and the building which is now being used by the Ophthalmology Department of the medical college. On November 30, 1963, foundation stone was laid for the new building of the medical college and the hospital attached to it. In 1966 it was named after Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, who had played a pivotal role for the formation of modern Odisha State on linguistic basis. New building of this institution was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Odisha Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo on February 21, 1969.  

During the time of inception this institute had intake strength of 40 students. Now 150 students are getting admitted into its MBBS course every year. At present 96 students were studying in post graduate courses of the institute. As the hospital attached to it happens to be the only referral hospital in south Odisha, more than 1,000 patients reach its out-patients section every day. On an average more than 120 patients get admitted in the indoor wards of the hospital every day. The alumni of the institute include several physicians of national and international repute. According to Dr. Mohanty around 5,000 delegates would attend the golden jubilee celebrations. First principal of the institute Sukumar Das would also attend the inaugural ceremony. As part of the celebration several technical seminars would be held in which experts of international fame would take part. Present as well as past students of the institute were also busy preparing for cultural shows they would perform during the five-day long celebration. Source: The Hindu

MKCG Medical College in Berhampur dilapidated, authorities in slumber

By Sisir Panigrahy

Wide cracks in walls of various departments, insufficient infrastructure and lack of equipment plague MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCG MCH) here. While tobacco spit marks on the walls and unbearable stink from the blocked toilets portray a poor picture of the premier medical college, the patients admitted here also have to fight the mosquito menace.

Set up in 1961, the 1,081- bed MKCG MCH is the referral hospital for 10 southern districts and caters to patients from Andhra Pradesh as well. While lack of infrastructure is commonplace in this  hospital, the least expected of the authorities is to maintain cleanliness and hygiene on the hospital premises to prevent infection. However, what you get to see at the MCH is a testimony to the fact that the authorities concerned are in deep slumber.

Walls in various departments of the 51-year-old structure have developed deep cracks sans maintenance, portions of the roofs chip off every month and need to be repaired on priority. At any given point of time, as many as 800 patients and 4,000 people, including patients’ attendants and hospital staff, can be found in the wards.

Locals alleged that although the hospital higher-ups are well aware of the unsafe condition of MCH’s buildings, they spent money on just plastering the cracks and fixing of floor tiles.

Amenities to patients too are non-existent. While the hospital is supposed to provide most of the medicines to the in- patients, except the normal saline no medicines are provided to them. Patients are allegedly asked to purchase all the required medicines, including cotton. Beds in most of the departments are damaged.

In Gynaecology department, due to shortage of beds pregnant  women and newborn are accommodated on the floor, notwithstanding the risk of infection.  While some departments do not have important equipment, some have them but are sparingly put to use.

One of them is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment which can be used to conduct various tests. The PCR equipment, worth ` 1 crore, was provided to the Microbiology department six months back. But on the pretext of non-supply of testing kits, the machine is lying unused.

In many operation theatres, air conditioners don’t work. Rasananda Mangual, HoD of Surgery department, said even as the department has facilities to operate four patients simultaneously, all the four air conditioners in the OT have become defunct.

“The department is supposed to conduct 3,000 general operations and another 1,500 emergency  operations a year. Though the target of emergency operations is achieved, the number of general operations falls much short of the target.

Doctors in other departments said although the officials concerned have been informed about the unsafe buildings in the MKCG, no proper action is being initiated.  

Source: New Indian Express