Patients use table fans to beat the heat as air conditioners remain defunct at all wards of Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, May 28: The state government today directed authorities of Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre and SCB Medical College and Hospital to take concrete measures to repair dysfunctional air conditioners at the earliest.

Over 70 per cent air conditioners at the cancer centre and nearly 50 per cent at SCB are not functioning for the last couple of months because of inadequate repair and maintenance. Taking note of these problems, health and family welfare secretary Pradipta Mohapatra directed concerned officials to repair the air conditioners during a review meeting here today.

“We have taken such issues seriously and directed officials to take appropriate action,” said Mohapatra.

Earlier, The Telegraph, in a report published on May 26, had highlighted the plight of patients as bulk of the air conditioners at various wards were not functioning at the regional Cancer Centre.

Of the total 177 air conditioners, 152 are not functioning due to lack of repair and replacement of parts. The cancer centre officials said the general electricity department had started to repair the air conditioners from today.

In another development, a committee, headed by SCB superintendent Shayama Kanungo, has been formed to float a comprehensive tender within the next seven days for the maintenance of all the air conditioners and other electrical equipment at the hospital.

Besides, the heads of various departments have been asked to submit a list on the number of defunct air conditioners. The move is aimed at resolving issues as patients and doctors are facing problems at SCB. Official sources alleged that over 50 air conditioners in the hospital had become defunct due to lack of repair and maintenance.

The situation had assumed serious proportions in the neurosurgery department, as three out of four air conditioners in the operation theatre have not been functioning for the last couple of months.

An associate professor had also fainted during a surgery in the operation theatre because of the intense heat. Surgeries have also been getting delayed.

The health secretary also asked the SCB authorities to chalk out a detailed strategy to convert existing generators into automatic ones to resolve issues regarding starting machines in case of power cuts.

Mohapatra also inaugurated a new complex of the ophthalmology and referral eye department at SCB hospital today.