Phulbani Medical College Hospital faces criticism over doctor shortage, lack of facilities
Phulbani- A year after its inauguration, Phulbani Medical College and Hospital in Odisha continues to face criticism regarding inadequate healthcare facilities and a severe shortage of doctors, raising concerns among the residents of Kandhamal district.
The institution has failed to live up to expectations, with patients and residents alleging that it lacks several essential healthcare facilities, including MRI and CT scan services, as well as trauma and burn care units.
The Medical College Hospital was inaugurated on June 7, 2025, by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, to provide better healthcare services to the people of the district.
Due to the lack of advanced diagnostic and emergency services, many patients are reportedly being referred to hospitals in Berhampur, Cuttack, Nayagarh, and Bhubaneswar for better treatment. According to the TNIE news report, sources revealed that the hospital currently possesses only one ultrasound machine, which is being utilised exclusively for pregnant women, causing significant difficulties for other patients.
According to reports, the situation has further deteriorated due to a shortage of doctors and administrative lapses. The post of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) at the DHH has remained vacant for the past three months, thereby affecting the oversight of healthcare services.
Approximately 120 doctors have been deployed to the medical college specifically for academic purposes, whereas the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) currently has only 38 doctors on duty, despite having 134 sanctioned posts.
Meanwhile, residents of the district urged the state government to immediately fill vacant posts for doctors, strengthen administrative oversight, and provide essential life-saving facilities, so that the people of Kandhamal can access adequate healthcare services.
Allegations have also surfaced that a lack of coordination between the medical college administration and DHH officials has adversely affected the delivery of healthcare services.
Furthermore, some doctors and staff members at the medical college are reportedly coordinating their leaves amongst themselves without any formal government approval, thereby taking advantage of the administrative vacuum.
In response, Dr Narendra Behera, Dean of MCH, stated that he was unaware of any such irregularity and gave an assurance that the matter would be investigated.
Besides, a dedicated complex built for the MCH on the outskirts of Phulbani town has not yet become operational. Currently, the institution operates from the Kandhamal District Headquarters Hospital, where it shares facilities and resources.
