The newly constructed building of orthopaedic department at VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, May 13: The newly constructed building of the orthopaedic department in the VSS Medical College and Hospital at Burla near here, which was inaugurated in 2009, is yet to be functional.

Though the outdoor has been shifted to the new building, the patients’ ward is still functioning from the old one.

“At present, the orthopaedic ward is running in the old hospital building that has a capacity of 60 beds. With the functioning of the new building, the orthopaedic ward will be able to accommodate about 90 indoor patients,” said head of orthopaedic department Barsha Tudu.

The building could not start functioning properly because of lack of facilities. The public health engineering department is yet to make a provision for water supply to the building. Moreover, an elevator is also required for carrying patients upstairs, said Tudu.

“The new building was built to accommodate more patients and provide better health service. However, because of the indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned, it is yet to become functional,” said Prasanna Sahu, a local resident and social worker.

“At present, the patients are forced to lie on the floor because of lack of beds in the old building. But, more beds can be arranged if the ward starts functioning in the new building,” he said.

Hospital superintendent L.K. Dash said: “We have written to the public health engineering department to supply water to the new building at the earliest.”