Trauma care centre in Berhampur on revival course

Central team visits the facility to find ways of making it functional

The trauma care centre on MKCG Medical College and Hospital campus, which had been inaugurated before Parliament elections in 2009, is yet to become functional. The then Union Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Sahu had inaugurated the facility on March 2, 2009, just before the election schedule was announced and code of conduct came into effect. Foundation stone for the project was also laid with much fanfare on December 23, 2006.

The facility was aimed at providing timely succour to victims of accidents on NH-16 and NH-59. As more than 600 accidents occur every year near the city, it was thought that at least some of the victims could be saved once the unit comes into being.

However, the prospects of the trauma care centre becoming functional in the near future brightened as a Central team visited it on Wednesday.

The team, led by Additional Director of the Central Health Department Sitaram Agarwal, held detailed discussions with the Superintendent of MKCG Medical College and Hospital Ashok Kumar Behera on issues and problems of the trauma care centre.

Due to various reasons, the medical college authorities have also not been able to utilise the funds allocated by the Centre for the facility.

Speaking to newsmen, Dr. Behera said Rs.3.11 crore had been sanctioned in two phases by the Central government for the project. But, out of it, Rs.2 crore remained unspent.

As per the proposal, the trauma care centre ought to have one surgery specialist, one anesthesiologist, one orthopaedic specialist, eight medical officers, and 40 staff nurses. However, it was yet to have the required staff.

It was also said that the building had no adequate space to house all the equipment needed due to which procurement of equipment was delayed.

According to the medical college authorities, the instruments already procured for the trauma care centre was being used during emergencies in the casualty ward. Source: The Hindu