No Power, No Doctor: Peon allegedly treats patient at Odisha Health Centre
Koraput: A shocking incident has come to light from the Lamataput Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mahakuma, Odisha, raising serious patient safety concerns after a peon was allegedly seen treating a critically injured accident victim in the absence of a doctor, using only a mobile phone flashlight.
A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, shows the peon allegedly examining and dressing the patient’s wounds using a mobile phone torch, as the casualty ward was completely dark.
The government’s claims of uplifting healthcare in Odisha have come under question due to the shortage of doctors in health centres and inadequate facilities in government hospitals.
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According to an Odisha Sambad report, the incident occurred on Monday night when an accident victim was brought to the CHC for first-aid treatment. However, no doctors or medical staff were available at the hospital at that time. To make matters worse, the power supply was disrupted due to heavy rains.
As the patient’s condition deteriorated, the peon, with no assistance around, stepped in and attended to the victim. He even stitched the wounds under the mobile flashlight. The entire incident was recorded on video and later uploaded to social media.
The incident sparked public outrage, with many criticising the government for failing to maintain basic healthcare standards that could prevent such situations.
Commenting on the incident, a local said, "It is shameful that despite the Government boasting about robust healthcare in rural areas, this is the plight of the common man."
"While we see so many claims of better medical facilities reaching people, it is unacceptable that government hospitals are so badly equipped. Be it lack of doctors or even basic amenities like power backup, it is the patient who suffers," said another local.
