Patients’ Attendants At Acharya Harihar Cancer Hospital In Cuttack Suffer For Heat; Know What Minister Says

Cuttack: With temperature hovering over 40 degree Celsius, the attendants of patients coming to Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHCC), here, have been facing the misery of standing under scorching sun for long hours due to lack of any facility to get respite from heat.

In the absence of a spacious waiting room or shade, the patients’ and the people accompanying them have to stand in the open waiting for their turn to register for consultation with the doctors of the cancer hospital. There is also no facility for supply of drinking water.

With the summer season to continue for more than one more month, the people have expressed their resentment against the hospital authorities for lack of concern towards their condition.

Speaking to the media on the issue on Sunday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das said, “It has come to my notice and we are taking steps in this regard. I have also held discussion with the director of the hospital.”

Admitting that the temperature was unusually high across the state, he said he has instructed the department to take whatever possible steps to ensure that the patients and their attendants are not affected by the heat.

Elaborating on the steps, the minister said, “The hospital authorities have been told to construct shades for the attendants on the premises and ensure supply of water, ORS and other facilities.”