Balasore, Nov 13 (Odisha.in) The “Government medical college and hospital action committee”, a citizen’s body of Balasore, which has been demanding a government medical college and hospital at Balasore, has threatened to intensify its stir.
The committee members will stage demonstration in front of the State Assembly on November 28 during the winter session and motivate the local people to intensify their agitation.
“Earlier, we observed Balasore bandh to press our demand before the government. But it is yet to pay heed. Now we will lay siege the Assembly and seek a clear cut decision,” Baidyanath Sarangi, president of the committee, told on Monday.
“Later we would plan for a mass agitation in front of the parliament next month,” he added.
The citizen’s body has been demanding a government medical college at Balasore for the entire northern Orissa comprising five districts – Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar.
Balasore is the most suitable place for medical college as it is the main business centre and gate way to neighbouring West Bengal. Several major defence establishments are also located here, besides the industries and oil depots.
The committee observed that if set up, the medical college in Balasore would benefit a population of nearly one crore, from Orissa and the neighbouring states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
While Andra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharastra, Tamilnadu and Kerala have 27, 8, 31, 38, 29 and 14 medical colleges respectively, Orissa has only five medical colleges of which only three are government.
“The government medical colleges have been set up in Western, Southern and Central regions, but Northern Orissa is lacking the same since long,” committee vice-president Sambhunath Mohanty pointed out.
This apart, Orissa is far behind in the doctor and population ratio, compared to other states. The state extends one doctor for the population of every 7462 against the national average of 1916.
While currently the vacancy of doctors across the state stands 1318, in the next two years another 1300 would be superannuating, hence, the situation would worsen further.
Rejecting the idea of a private medical college and urging the Collector not to offer any land to private parties, the committee also advised that if the government does not have the funds to cater to the needs of the people it can seek assistance from the World Bank or WHO.
“The health care is democratic and a fundamental right,” Mohanty added.
Odisha.in