Written by : Nikita Saha
February 19, 2024
The government targets to cover 1,858 hospitals under the transformation drive by 2027-28 and a provision of over INR 3,300 Cr has also been made in this regard.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has virtually inaugurated 73 Ama Hospitals in 15 districts and five dialysis centers at the sub-division level under the Ama Hospital Scheme.
Launched last year, the ‘Ama Hospital’ scheme focuses on revamping existing healthcare facilities to meet the community's evolving needs. As part of the initiative, hospitals undergo extensive refurbishment while ensuring adequate staffing to cater to patient requirements effectively.
Reportedly, the government targets to cover 1,858 hospitals under the transformation drive by 2027-28 and a provision of over INR 3,300 Cr has been made in this regard. Additionally, the transformation of 149 more hospitals is underway.
Moreover, 4,000 doctors and 3,700 nurses have been appointed in the previous year aligning with the move to improve health services in the state.
The Ama Hospitals, transformed under the government’s 5T Initiatives include five each in Bargarh and Kendrapara; seven in Sundargarh, four each in Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Rayagada; six in Keonjhar, two each in Malkangiri, Jharsuguda; nine in Mayurbhanj, highest 13 in Ganjam and three in Kandhamal district.
Similarly, the dialysis centers were opened in sub-divisional hospitals at Karanjia in Mayurbhanj, Kuchinda in Sambalpur, Hinjilikatu in Ganjam, Khariar in Nuapada and Padampur in Bargarh district.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said, “Ama Hospital work was initiated on the basis of proposals received during the district visits of the 5T chairman. There is a huge change in the healthcare sector at the government level. Hospital infrastructure, patient amenities, and service delivery have been improved and quality is ensured.”
The Ama Hospital Scheme is approved under the 5T (Teamwork, Technology, Transparency, Time, and Transformation) initiative which aims to make healthcare more patient-centric.
The 73 Ama Hospitals have been restructured based on the 5T principles that seek to provide better treatment facilities, improved patient care, and enhanced amenities for patients and their attendants.
Further, the 5T chairman said the government has agreed to the demand of giving 5.8 acres of land for the development of the district headquarters hospital at Jagatsinghpur.
This initiative will be implemented across all 1858 facilities in the State including DHH, SDH, CHC/CHC PHC /UPHC level hospitals in a phased manner during a period of five years.
Initially, around 149 public health facilities will be targeted under this initiative to strengthen its infrastructure and patient care.
The major components include an improved patient waiting area with all basic patient amenities, and a help desk with maps for enhanced patient support in terms of guiding patients and attendants to access the services.
Apart from the hospitals and dialysis centers, the CM also launched a patient feedback system through IVRS and a biometric attendance system through facial recognition software.
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Patnaik emphasized the importance of prioritizing patient convenience in the transformed hospitals. This commitment underscores the government’s dedication to providing quality healthcare services accessible to all residents of Odisha.
The inauguration, which took place in Bhubaneswar, marks a milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to improve medical facilities and accessibility for its citizens.
The 5T initiative in Odisha’s healthcare sector seeks to create a more efficient, transparent, and patient-centric system, ultimately improving the well-being of the people of Odisha.
Featured Image Credits: Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha.