Keonjhar, Oct 4: The Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Paediatrics and ICU services at the Keonjhar district headquarters hospital are likely to be shifted to the Keonjhar Government Medical College by November.

The move comes amid a shortage of doctors, nurses and other staff at the district hospital. The District Collector and senior Health Department officials recently reviewed the arrangements and directed officials to complete the shifting process.

Medical college Superintendent Mahendra Kumar Nayak said the work on the Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics wards has been completed. The new facilities are expected to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi next month.

Medical college started in 2023

The Keonjhar Government Medical College was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on February 13, 2023. Its infrastructure was developed with funding from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).

The inpatient and outpatient services were shifted from the district hospital to the medical college on May 5. Since then, several departments, including ENT, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Surgery and General Medicine, have been functioning from the medical college.

However, the Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics departments continued at the district hospital, while the ICU remained operational in the old hospital building.

Staff shortage behind the move

Several posts for doctors, nurses and other staff at the district hospital are reportedly vacant. As a result, existing employees have been handling multiple responsibilities.

Officials expect the shifting of the remaining departments to improve manpower management and help the medical college function as a fully operational medical college and hospital.

The administration is now working to complete the process by November.