Overflowing sewage floods Jeypore hospital in Koraput

Koraput: People can be seen moving around Jeypore sub-divisional hospital in Koraput district with handkerchiefs on their nose. The hospital stinks due to overflowing sewage in the absence of a proper drainage system.
Sources said the lone narrow drainage channel, constructed years ago, at the hospital fails to take the load. Moreover, it remains choked at several places with filth.The waste water, therefore, spills onto the open space on the hospital premises.
Things worsen during rains due to waterlogging. Rainwater entered a newly-constructed operation theatre (OT) last year and it has not been used since then, the sources said.
If this was not enough, waste items are found strewn all over the hospital premises as there are no dustbins to dump these. In the absence of any shed, the attendants of the patients are forced to cook in the open. This adds to the mess.
"Hygiene has gone for a toss here. There should be a proper drainage system and the sewage released to the main drain passing adjacent to the hospital," said Bunu Rath, a Jeypore-based campaigner.
According to data available, over 250 people visit this 110-bed hospital daily. Sub-divisional medical officer (SDMO) D B Tripathy admitted to the problem. "We have informed our higher-ups about it, but to no avail. We will soon make a fresh proposal for construction of drains inside the hospital," he said.
A few dustbins will be put up near the maternity wards and at some other places, he added.