Nabarangpur,21st Aug 2025: During his visit to Nabarangpur district, Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida met with members of the District Citizens’ Committee at the local Circuit House and received a memorandum from them. The committee highlighted various problems in the district’s main hospital, community health centers, and primary health centers, urging the authorities to resolve these issues promptly.
Nabarangpur district has a population of around 1,470,000, with approximately 52,000 residing in the Nabarangpur municipal area. Although a hospital has existed in the district headquarters for many years, patients face difficulties due to the lack of specialist doctors. Out of 395 sanctioned doctor posts in the district, only 214 are currently filled.
Even when doctors are appointed, many go on long leave for higher studies. Due to the shortage of specialists, patients are often referred immediately to the large medical center in Koraput, and the local hospital essentially functions only as a referral center. Despite the availability of medical equipment, patient care remains insufficient. The committee requested the Deputy Chief Minister to appoint the required number of doctors.
Complaints were also raised regarding security personnel in the district hospital misbehaving with patients instead of providing protection.
The committee also appealed for prompt steps to establish a medical college in Nabarangpur, following the recent announcement by the Odisha government.
The meeting was attended by District Citizens’ Committee president and prominent social worker Jagannath Mahapatra, editor Ramprasad Patra, cooperative convener Pradeep Sahu, treasurer Srinivas Patra, Kishori Pattnayak, Swarnalata Pattnayak, Tapan Bishoi, Subrata Behera, and Prabhasini Mahanti.