Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati has formally requested the health and family welfare minister to establish a city hospital in the currently unused sub-divisional hospital (SDH) building in Jeypore. The move aims to address the healthcare needs of local residents who have faced difficulties since the SDH was upgraded and relocated.
Challenges After Hospital Relocation
In a letter to the minister, Bahinipati detailed the hardships endured by the community following the upgradation of the SDH to a district headquarters hospital (DHH) in 2019. The DHH was subsequently shifted to Phulobado, approximately three kilometers from the town center. This relocation has created significant challenges for city residents, particularly during medical emergencies, as they now must travel a considerable distance to access healthcare services.
Bahinipati emphasized that the relocation has caused inconvenience, especially in emergency situations where immediate medical attention is critical. He noted that the old SDH building, which was converted into a COVID-19 hospital during the pandemic and later renovated, is currently lying unused. The vacant infrastructure should be effectively utilized by converting it into a city hospital to cater to the healthcare needs of the urban population.
Benefits of Repurposing the Facility
The MLA stressed that repurposing the facility would provide timely medical services to residents and reduce the burden on the DHH. It would also ensure better accessibility within the town, allowing patients to receive care closer to home. Bahinipati urged the minister to take prompt action to establish the city hospital, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure in Jeypore.
