Balasore: The dialysis and CT Scan service has began functioning at the District Headquarters Hospital here.
Apart from the two much-awaited services that began from Saturday, an integrated pathological centre has also been thrown open for patients.
The dialysis unit, set up in the medicine ward, was inaugurated by a patient in the presence of district collector Ramesh Chandra Rout and other health officials.
Chief district medical officer Bibekananda Das said: "These units have become come up in public-private partnership mode."
"We have deployed trained personnel to look after these establishments. The dialysis unit has seven beds. The work to establish an MRI unit is in progress. The building has already been handed over to the private operator and the installation is underway. Hopefully, the unit will become functional within a month," he said.
The new facilities, mainly the dialysis unit, will be a boon for patients during emergencies, said C.H.S. Nanda, a senior medicine specialist at the hospital.
"Nowadays, cases of kidney-related ailments are rising alarmingly. This coastal zone is vulnerable to snakebites, especially during monsoons. The venom of a snake can affect the kidneys of a person," said Nanda.
Balasore District Headquarters Hospital will also provide training facilities for students of the proposed Government Medical College and Hospital that is expected to start functioning from the coming academic session.
"All the essential components required for a college are being put in place," said the district collector.