Berhampur, Jan. 24: The liquid oxygen plant and ancillary gas pipelines, which were to be installed at MKCG Medical College and Hospital for the newly built 28-bed central intensive care unit and other wards, have been delayed.

At present, the patients are being supplied oxygen through cylinders, which are in crisis most of the time at the hospital.

"We have already selected the site for the plant and experts of various companies have visited the area after consultation with the state government. But, the companies have not shown interest in the project. We do not know why. We also had discussions on the issue with the senior officers of the department a number of times, but no positive steps have been taken in this regard," said superintendent of MKCG Hospital Khetrabasi Subudhi.

The government has sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the project, which will be executed by the state-owned Odisha Medical Corporation. The medical corporation had also floated a tender to invite bidders. However, a fresh tender would be floated shortly, Subudhi said.

The pipelines will pass through the beds of patients at the 28-bed central intensive care unit. It will help them to get oxygen whenever required, he added.

Though the construction of the building of the 28-bed central intensive care unit has been completed, the installation of the gas pipelines has been delayed with companies not showing interest in the liquid oxygen plant.

"This apart, the public works department is yet to hand over the building to us," Subudhi said.

The MKCG Medical College and Hospital was established 54 years ago with 512 beds only.

The number of beds has increased to 1082 in 33 departments, including eight super-specialty departments. However, the number of attendants and class IV employees, which was 470, 54 years ago, has now decreased to 220.

According to a source in the office of the superintendent, MKCG, the number of nurses is 393, which falls far short of the required strength of 594. Besides, the CT scan machine at the hospital has been out of order since the past four months as well.