Assam: Neglect leaves Rs 70 lakh worth oxygen plant unused at Karimganj Civil Hospital

The oxygen plant established under PM-CARE at a significant cost of Rs 70 lakh, was once seen as a beacon of hope for the region. Set up in 2021, the plant was intended to supply life-saving oxygen to Karimganj Civil Hospital, the district's only major healthcare facility. However, this once-promising project has now become a symbol of neglect and mismanagement, as the plant remains non-operational and useless to the public.

Complaints have surfaced, alleging that the Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) unit is non-functional due to negligence by both the hospital authorities and the district administration. Despite its capacity to produce ten thousand liters of oxygen and cater to the needs of 400 bed patients, the facility now stands as a white elephant, a costly venture yielding no benefit.

The situation at Karimganj Civil Hospital, the district's healthcare hotspot, is dire. The company that supplied the plant under PM-CARE has become unresponsive, leaving the district without a crucial medical resource. This neglect persists even as Kamalakhya De Purkayastha, the MLA from North Karimganj, and the district health department witness the deteriorating condition of the hospital.

Also read: Sikkim: Section of NH-10 washed away amid Teesta River surge, vehicles diverted