MLA Pradeep Panigrahi Targets Odisha Govt On Failure In Health Sector

Bhubaneswar: BJP leader and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi on Sunday targeted Odisha government for making tall claims despite collapse of healthcare services in the state.

Speaking at a presser in the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Panigrahi said the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has earned international accolade for its handling of COVID pandemic and saving millions of lives not only in India but also other countries.

“The Prime Minister has always given top priority to health services. Considering the needs of the people, the Centre has launched several schemes including Ayusman Bharat. Under this scheme, 7,251 wellness centres and 488 Jan Ausadhi Kendras have been opened in Odisha,” he said.

“Instead of taking advantage of Central health schemes, the state government has been claiming to be providing world class services in the sector. But in the ground level, the health services have collapsed,” he added.

The MLA alleged that the state had 27,000 doctors against the need for 47,000 while the government remains indifferent in this regard. Similarly, 17,385 nursing officer posts out of 28,285 sanctioned posts, 998 of 3490 pharmacist posts, 915 of 2235 laboratory technician, and 378 of 695 radiologist posts have been lying vacant.

While the ruling BJD has failed in its promise to improve the condition of three medical colleges to world standard, SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, the most dependent hospital in the state faces drinking water crisis, he added.