Ganjam: When will Bhanjanagar Hospital’s Oxygen Plant start functioning again?
Bhanjanagar: Keeping in mind the greater interests of the people of the area, an oxygen plant was established in the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional hospital of Ganjam district in 2021. The system was designed to provide oxygen to patients through pipes near their beds.
It functioned for a few days but developed a mechanical fault shortly. After fixing it, the plant worked for a few more days before stopping again.
Eventually, it became completely inoperative and is now defunct and locked. Despite efforts, the plant remains non-functional. The plant has remained closed since July 2023.
Why has such a situation arisen? What is the reason behind this? Here’s a ground zero report.
Plant’s History of Malfunction:
The oxygen plant established in Bhanjanagar Sub-divisional Hospital in Ganjam District, has become inoperative, stopping halfway despite the evident need. Pipes are connected to each patient’s bed in every ward, but the system isn’t working.
The oxygen plant was established on August 6, 2021, to meet the needs of general patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to address oxygen shortages during epidemics and future crises. To achieve this, oxygen supply lines were installed in each department’s ward.
At that time, the state government planned to establish 40 oxygen plants, with three in Ganjam district – Berhampur, Chhatrapur, and Bhanjanagar hospital.
The plant’s construction was carried out by the Labh Group of Ahmedabad at the Bhanjanagar Sub divisional Hospital, financed by the American India Foundation (AIF), an NGO.
Delayed Repairs and Lack of Accountability:
From the outset only, a mechanical fault was noticed in the Relay Sensor, which didn’t work. Although the medical authorities informed the company, repairs were delayed, taking two years to complete. After the initial repair, oxygen was supplied for a few days before another fault was detected in the Pre-filter and Carbon Filter equipment.
The medical authorities contacted the company again, but the mechanic hasn’t visited to fix the issue, and the company hasn’t responded. The hospital authorities informed the Health Department’s higher authorities, but there’s been no progress.
Impact on Patients and Hospital Operations:
Most patients from Bhanjanagar block, including Jagannathprasad, Belguntha, Sorada block, and Buguda block, depend on the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional hospital. Patients from Kandhamal and Nayagarh districts also rely on this hospital.
Previously, oxygen cylinders were being brought from the Haldiapadar plant in Berhampur, but the intention was to make the hospital self-sufficient with the oxygen plant.
Despite arrangements, the hospital now relies solely on cylinder oxygen. Although the plant was established with an NGO’s donation, its supervision and management responsibility lay with the hospital authorities, health department, and government. After the plant became inactive, the medical authorities repeatedly informed the company and departmental authorities, but the situation didn’t improve.
Questions of Responsibility:
A major reason for the plant’s inactivity is the unavailability of equipment in Odisha and the lack of local mechanics to repair it.
Hence, the only hope for providing oxygen to patients now in this hospital lies in the Haldiapadar plant’s cylinders and concentrators. With the increasing patient load and changing disease patterns, the need for a functional oxygen plant has become urgent. However, the solution remains undecided, raising questions about responsibility and the plant’s operational timeline.
People have asked when this oxygen plant will be operative again which is crucial for patients.
