Puri's Shree Jagannath Medical College's teaching hospital delay leaves students, patients in limbo

Puri: The teaching hospital of Shree Jagannath Medical College (SJMC), envisioned as a transformative solution to chronic healthcare challenges in Puri, is yet to be made operational — leaving patients and students in a state of uncertainty and hardship.Spread across eight acres with a capacity of 650 beds, the hospital was designed to offer modern healthcare with modular operation theatres, advanced diagnostic equipment and specialist departments. Authorities had announced that patient services would begin by Jan 2024. However, despite completion of construction, the facility is yet to open due to the absence of electricity connection and essential medical equipment. The college has been using the facilities of Puri district headquarters hospital since it was started in 2021.The delay has had a cascading impact. Patients continue to face severe limitations in care. Orthopaedic surgeries are unavailable, forcing even minor trauma cases to be referred to Bhubaneswar or Cuttack. Departments like cardiology, neurology and gastroenterology remain non-existent, leaving critical patients with no local options.Suresh Pradhan, a recent accident victim, shared his ordeal. “I came with a fractured leg and waited nearly an hour for an X-ray. The report said surgery was needed, but since it’s not available in the hospital, I have to travel to Bhubaneswar,” he said.Though the medical college has most of the around 100 faculty members in position, the hospital has gaps in some essential services. Chief district medical officer Akshay Satapathy said that the cardiology department has no doctors. “We’ve issued letters to fill vacancies and initiated contractual recruitment. The dermatology department has been shut for two months due to staff absence,” he said.The delay has disrupted medical education. Around 400 students of the medical college have been undergoing practical training at the DHH for the past four years, commuting 15 km daily via two buses. Limited infrastructure at the DHH has hampered both academic learning and patient care.College principal Sabita Mohapatra said, “The hospital cannot begin operations until electricity, equipment and manpower gaps are addressed. This year, 25 postgraduate seats have been sanctioned. The teaching hospital must open soon — not just for students, but for the people of Puri. Efforts are on for that.”