Sambalpur: Lack of Basic Medical Supplies at Sambalpur Sadar Hospital; Patients Forced to Seek Treatment Elsewhere
Sambalpur: Basic medical supplies are missing from the emergency department of Sambalpur Sadar Hospital. The situation has worsened to the point where even simple items like sutures and cotton are unavailable at times. As a result, patients are either referred to Burla Hospital or asked to buy these essentials from outside. According to reports, hospital staff frequently ask patients’ families to purchase medical supplies and medications for dressing wounds.
Real Case: Construction Worker Faces the Consequences
A falling gate struck Sabir Ali’s toe while he was working at a construction site, causing severe bleeding. His colleagues transported him to the emergency department of Sadar Hospital. A doctor examined him and advised getting a tetanus shot, undergoing several tests, taking an X-ray, and dressing his wound. Due to the unavailability of paper, the doctor wrote these instructions on a ticket slip. The staff took him to the dressing room and administered the tetanus injection, but could not dress his wound as they had no sutures available.
Even the doctor admitted that many necessary supplies were missing. Eventually, Sabir was referred to Burla for further treatment. However, instead of traveling 15 kilometers to Burla, his family opted for treatment at a local nursing home, where he later underwent surgery the following day. This procedure cost them around ₹5,600, a significant amount for a laborer like Sabir. He struggled to gather the money for the treatment, despite government promises of free healthcare for workers like him.
Online Sambalpur Is Now On WhatsApp!
Join us for the latest news updates delivered directly to your WhatsApp.
Subscribe Us On YouTube!
Join us for the latest news updates and video content delivered directly to you.
Widespread Problem for Many Patients
Unfortunately, Sabir’s case is not an isolated one. Many patients at the Sadar Hospital face similar issues, especially when it comes to tests. Often, patients are advised by the hospital doctors to go outside for various tests, as the hospital lacks the required equipment. This shortage of essential supplies and services has raised serious concerns about the hospital’s ability to provide proper treatment to patients in need.
Staff Misconduct
There have also been reports that some emergency department employees have been drinking alcohol during work hours, which has caused additional chaos.
Hospital Authorities’ Response
In response to these complaints, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Sujata Rani Mishra stated that all essential medical supplies for the emergency department are regularly purchased, and there is no shortage. She encouraged patients and their families to report any instances of missing supplies or issues directly to the hospital authorities.
