TEZPUR, Sept 13 � Though the State government has from time to time claimed to have achieved several milestones on the health front, the late Chandranath Lakhidhar Memorial Chest (TB) hospital here has been plagued by many shortcomings, including encroachment.
It is to be mentioned here that the hospital established in 1962 at Ouguri hillock area, about 2-3 km away from the heart of the town with a view to support the patients suffering from tuberculosis was run at the beginning under a local board amid a lot of hardship including poor infrastructure, deplorable road condition etc. This hospital has been the best hospital in supporting the poor and economically backward people of most of the districts of the State since its inception.
This hospital played a commendable role in supporting the economically poor and less-fortunate people affected with the disease, hailing from different districts including Darrang, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Golaghat etc., through treatment by the dedicated doctors of the hospital.
But it is a matter of fact that despite its commendable service to the poor people, it was given less importance. Though after repeated requests to the authority concerned of the Health department of the Government of Assam, some of the problems have been solved, many problems including provision of bedside lockers, a corridor from the kitchen to the patient�s wards for safe carrying of the foods, a generator set etc., are yet to be solved.
�Many a time, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was asked for help to develop the hospital but no response was received,� said the hospital incharge, Dr Atul Saikia adding that later this abandoned hospital got a grant of Rs 23 lakh from the Health department under 12th Finance Commission.
With the sizeable allocation the hospital�s capacity has increased to 70 beds. The entrance road from near the Lalmati Police outpost a distance of almost � km that was full of big potholes has also been repaired adding to its beauty.
Dr Atul Saikia who is also a prominent social worker here interacting with this correspondent further stated that after joining in the hospital in 2004, he has tried to give a new look to the poor people�s life- related institution by working for it round the clock.
�As atleast after death, one should be given proper honour, one 12 x 12 size dead body shed (not morgue) has been constructed already, as earlier bodies were kept in the toilet,� Dr Saikia told this reporter adding that many selfless people have been helping spontaneously which will definitely motivate him to work for the further development of the hospital.
He now has a plan to construct a corridor from the kitchen to the patient�s wards so that the food could be carried safely.
�We have directed our efforts to transform the hospital into one of the best so that the patients and the attendants can feel a homely atmosphere in the hospital during their period of stay,� Dr Saikia said.
Meanwhile, expressing total dissatisfaction over the matter of the unabated encroachment in the area, the doctor said that numerous representations have been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, but it has remained a fruitless effort as the encroachers are continuing the act harming the beauty of the hillock and posing a serious threat to the hospital.
Moreover, allegations have been rife that instead of intervening in the act of encroachment in the hillock, the administration has already allotted a plot of land in the area for a five-star hotel.
The conscious people here have urged the authority concerned to intervene in the entire matter in the greater interest of the people.
TEZPUR, Sept 13 � Though the State government has from time to time claimed to have achieved several milestones on the health front, the late Chandranath Lakhidhar Memorial Chest (TB) hospital here has been plagued by many shortcomings, including encroachment.
It is to be mentioned here that the hospital established in 1962 at Ouguri hillock area, about 2-3 km away from the heart of the town with a view to support the patients suffering from tuberculosis was run at the beginning under a local board amid a lot of hardship including poor infrastructure, deplorable road condition etc. This hospital has been the best hospital in supporting the poor and economically backward people of most of the districts of the State since its inception.
This hospital played a commendable role in supporting the economically poor and less-fortunate people affected with the disease, hailing from different districts including Darrang, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, Golaghat etc., through treatment by the dedicated doctors of the hospital.
But it is a matter of fact that despite its commendable service to the poor people, it was given less importance. Though after repeated requests to the authority concerned of the Health department of the Government of Assam, some of the problems have been solved, many problems including provision of bedside lockers, a corridor from the kitchen to the patient�s wards for safe carrying of the foods, a generator set etc., are yet to be solved.
�Many a time, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was asked for help to develop the hospital but no response was received,� said the hospital incharge, Dr Atul Saikia adding that later this abandoned hospital got a grant of Rs 23 lakh from the Health department under 12th Finance Commission.
With the sizeable allocation the hospital�s capacity has increased to 70 beds. The entrance road from near the Lalmati Police outpost a distance of almost � km that was full of big potholes has also been repaired adding to its beauty.
Dr Atul Saikia who is also a prominent social worker here interacting with this correspondent further stated that after joining in the hospital in 2004, he has tried to give a new look to the poor people�s life- related institution by working for it round the clock.
�As atleast after death, one should be given proper honour, one 12 x 12 size dead body shed (not morgue) has been constructed already, as earlier bodies were kept in the toilet,� Dr Saikia told this reporter adding that many selfless people have been helping spontaneously which will definitely motivate him to work for the further development of the hospital.
He now has a plan to construct a corridor from the kitchen to the patient�s wards so that the food could be carried safely.
�We have directed our efforts to transform the hospital into one of the best so that the patients and the attendants can feel a homely atmosphere in the hospital during their period of stay,� Dr Saikia said.
Meanwhile, expressing total dissatisfaction over the matter of the unabated encroachment in the area, the doctor said that numerous representations have been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, but it has remained a fruitless effort as the encroachers are continuing the act harming the beauty of the hillock and posing a serious threat to the hospital.
Moreover, allegations have been rife that instead of intervening in the act of encroachment in the hillock, the administration has already allotted a plot of land in the area for a five-star hotel.
The conscious people here have urged the authority concerned to intervene in the entire matter in the greater interest of the people.
