State capital dispensary at Dispur

March 7: The state capital dispensary at Dispur has been functioning without an X-ray machine for the past few years, which speaks volumes about the state of affairs in the government health institute.

The matter came to light when AGP legislator Abdul Aziz raised the issue in the Assembly today.

Replying to a question raised by Aziz, Assam health and family welfare minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said though the government had installed an X-ray machine at the dispensary, it was out of order. “The patients are facing a lot of inconveniences, as the X-ray machine is out of order for over seven years,” a source said.

The health department had also received complaints from the public about the inadequate infrastructure at the capital dispensary.

Lack of proper infrastructure at the capital dispensary has raised doubts among the people about the condition of the state dispensaries located in the remote areas of the state. After the issue figured in the Assembly, a health department official said the X-ray machine was damaged beyond repair.

“Therefore, we plan to purchase a new X-ray machine from the funds received under the National Rural Health Mission,” the source said.

The state capital dispensary was established by the government at Dispur Last Gate to cater to the needs of the residents of Dispur and the adjoining areas.

On being asked by Aziz about the government’s plans to improve the infrastructure of the capital dispensary, the minister replied: “The government has plans to develop the infrastructure soon.”

The minister, however, did not divulge the details of the plan. Aziz said that in 1974-75, the state government had taken a decision to upgrade the dispensary to a 30-bed hospital, but the upgrade was yet to be done.

The AGP legislator wanted to know from the health minister whether the government was aware of the plan if any plan existed at all. Sarma admitted that there was a plan but it could not be implemented for lack of a suitable plot of land.

He added that setting up the 30-bed hospital would depend on the availability of land.

A source said the hospital would need nearly 10 bighas of land will be required which is not available at the dispensary site.

“To set up the hospital, we will have to look for the required land somewhere else ,” the official added.