It is five years since the district mental health care unit was inaugurated here. However, it is yet to function for want of staff.
The unit was inaugurated on the premises of the District Headquarters Hospital in June 2007 with an aim to render specialised medical service to mentally-ill patients of the district and nearby Boudh and Nayagarh districts.
In 2007-08, the unit had received Rs 26,14,462 as grant-in-aid of which, Rs 14,24,810 is still lying unused.
The 10-bed unit is well-equipped with all modern equipment and amenities, but they are today covered with a thick layer of dust as the unit has not been opened for a long time.
Since its inauguration, the posts of one psychiatrist, a physiologist, a social worker and a staff nurse are lying vacant.
Last month, a physician, S K Mohanty, was given charge of the unit, who only attends to out patients, and another Santosh Sahu has been appointed as a storekeeper-cum-clerk of the unit.
As per reports, from 2007 till date, a total of 848 patients have come to the unit for treatment, but just two have been admitted as in patients.
Chief District Medical Officer N C Behera said due to non-availability of staff, the unit is not functioning. He added that a new psychiatrist will be joining very soon and other vacant class III and IV posts will be filled up after that.
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