By Our Correspondent
AUL/BHUBANESWAR: When the entire Naveen Patnaik administration has been put in action for smooth medical services in Odisha in the wake of COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, at Aul PHC in politically sensitive coastal pocket of Kendrapara, the home turf of ruling BJD’s Powerful MLA and Former Minister Pratap Keshari Deb, on Thursday turned into a battle field after patients and their relatives went on rampage attacking the attending doctors and ransacking the hospital.
The administration was so serious even the Chief Minister Patnaik himself putting his Sister Geeta Mehta’s return from the US but it seems, has no impact on doctors and patients and leaders in Aul-Rajkanika of Kendrapara. Every year funds are being release for reconstruction, restoration and repair of 2 PHCs but few selected Civil Contractors patronised by the Ruling Class have been regularly siphoned off these funds neglecting work. Hefty amount has been diverting for political expenditure and other work, sources added.
After the verbal and physical duels between doctors, patients and their relatives, medical services at Aul CHC n Kendrapara got paralysed as doctors resorted to cease work after a doctor who was on duty was thrashed. The Aul CHC is just 1000 meters away from Aul Royal Palace, the residence of sitting BJD MLA and former Minister Deb and was always in news for bad infrastructure and lack of efficient doctors.
Deb is now representing the Assembly seat for 4th times and was a Minister in Naveen Patnaik’s Cabinet in his 3rd term of MLA and represented the BJD in Rajya Sabha , soon after relinquishing his job as Chairman, Odisha State Housing Board but the fate of PHC in Aul and Rajkanika not seen any miracle and still waiting for help. “Apart from that, Deb is one among the spin doctors of Chief Minister Patnaik but medical services have no takers in Aul-Rajkanika, sources in Bhubaneswar said.
According to sources in Aul PHC, the incident occurred late on Wednesday night when four youths allegedly attacked the doctor and misbehaved with him.Tension gripped the hospital premises after the incident.
Extending support to the doctor and protesting the harassment doctors have to face, all the staffers of the hospital also halted their services. Apart from the Emergency ward, all other departments remained shut, reports suggested.Reportedly, a case regarding the same has been registered with Aul police. Following this, the doctor also went to visit the CDMO, sources added.
Meanwhile, in view of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the East Coast Railway has cancelled the following trains running through Odisha.
Check the list of trains cancelled:
01. 12882 Puri-Howrah Bi-weekly Garib Rath Express from Puri on 23, 25 & 30th March, 2020.
02. 12881 Howrah-Puri Bi-weekly Garib Rath Express from Howrah on 24, 26 & 31st March, 2020.
03. 12832 Bhubaneswar-Dhanbad Tri-weekly Garib Rath Express from Bhubaneswar from 20th to 31st March, 2020.
04. 12831 Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar Garib Rath Express from Dhanbad from 21st to 30th March and on 1st April, 2020.
05. 12281 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Duronto Express from Bhubaneswar on 25th March, 2020.
06. 12282 New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Duronto Express from New Delhi on 26th March, 2020.
07. 12278 Puri-Howrah Shatabdi Express from Puri from 20th to 31st March, 2020.
08. 12277 Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express from Howrah from 20th to 31st March, 2020.
09. 22708 Tirupati-Visakhapatnam Express from Tirupati from 20th to 29th March, 2020.
10. 22707 Visakhapatnam-Tirupati Express from Visakhapatnam from 21st to 30th March, 2020.
