Model Hospital Without Doctors? Singimari Dadara's Grim Picture

In an era when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma passionately proclaims the unprecedented rise of Assam's healthcare system, reality paints a far bleaker picture, right in his own home constituency.

In the heart of Kamrup, where promises of progress echo loudest, stands the Singimari-Dadara Model Hospital, a structure that gleams with potential but struggles with purpose. On paper, it has all the makings of a modern medical facility: 18 ICU beds, 76 oxygen-supported beds, a PSA oxygen plant capable of producing 100 litres per minute, and the promise of round-the-clock healthcare services.

But the glossy infrastructure hides a painful truth. What looks like a symbol of development from the outside is, in reality, a place where patients are turned away after sunset, and life-saving services vanish with the daylight.

But all of it rings hollow. Because after 8 PM, the hospital shuts down its medical services. The reason? There simply aren’t enough doctors.

Promises on the Plaque, But Not in Practice

This so-called “model hospital,” envisioned as part of the "Amrit Kaal" healthcare dream, is struggling to provide even the most basic care. For years, locals in this region have been raising the alarm, crying out for the government to send doctors, to keep the emergency services running, to fulfil the promises etched into every plaque and painted wall. But their appeals, they say, have been met with silence.

The irony couldn’t be more stark. A hospital that looks pristine from the outside, fitted with modern equipment, well-furnished interiors, and promising slogans proudly displayed at the entrance. Yet, behind the polished walls lies an uncomfortable truth: a hollow shell of a healthcare facility.

When Emergencies Meet Empty Rooms

The frustration and helplessness of the locals echo the grim state of the Singimari-Dadara Model Hospital more than any statistic can.

Speaking to Pratidin Time, one resident said, “The biggest problem we face is the lack of doctors. Just a few days ago, a man injured in an accident came to the hospital late at night, but to our shock, he had to return without treatment, as there was no doctor on duty.”

Another local added, “As per the norms of a Model Hospital, there should be doctors from all departments. We’ve seen other model hospitals where not just the infrastructure but all services and departments are properly staffed. That’s not the case here. We honestly don’t understand why, despite this hospital being so well-built and well-equipped, doctors are not posted here.”

Doctor Distribution Disparity: A Block-Level Bottleneck

Digging deeper into the issue, the locals alleged a systemic problem in doctor distribution under the Hajo Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC).

“We’ve come to know that when new doctors are assigned to Hajo BPHC, they are all retained there and not posted to the smaller PHCs or model hospitals. It’s the SDM who manages this, we’ve seen it happening again and again,” said a resident.

“As a result, not just our hospital, but even other PHCs and model hospitals under Hajo BPHC are facing the same doctor crisis.”

One resident made a startling claim: “If someone checks now, you’ll find a pile of doctors sitting idle at the BPHC. If even a few of them were posted here, it would help immensely. Patients could get treatment at night, too. A single doctor cannot be expected to do both morning and night duty; they’re human too.”

The locals said they had raised these concerns with the Joint Director of Health, but have received no update on any action taken.

Healing with Half the Hands

Adding to the harsh reality, one of the doctors currently posted at the Singimari-Dadara Model Hospital opened up about the daily struggles behind the glossy façade.

“We are running this hospital with just three doctors,” he said, visibly exhausted. “We’ve repeatedly informed the higher authorities that we need at least four doctors just to function normally. But despite our constant requests, no additional staff have been assigned.”

According to him, the hospital is often overwhelmed with patients throughout the day, not just from nearby areas, but even from places like Hajo. The sheer volume of patients, combined with staff shortages, makes it nearly impossible to run night shifts.

“Six months ago, even the Deputy Commissioner visited our hospital,” he recalled. “At that time, too, I personally urged him to help us by appointing more doctors. But nothing changed.”

Medicines Available, But Not Always the Right Ones

On the issue of medicines, the doctor acknowledged that while the hospital receives supplies that a model hospital is expected to get, gaps remain.

“There are times when patients are diagnosed with conditions for which we do not have the required medicines. In those cases, we have no choice but to prescribe medicines that the patients have to buy from outside,” he said.

He added, “It would be far better if we were supplied with a more comprehensive stock of essential medicines, considering the hospital’s model status.”

Conflicting Claims: Two Doctors or Three?

Interestingly, while the doctor claimed the hospital currently has three doctors, locals contest this, asserting that only two doctors are regularly available. The discrepancy raises questions about transparency and internal reporting, further eroding public trust.

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