Question : Sickle Cell Unit at Koraput

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that sickle cell unit at Koraput is still at proposal stage for the last two years, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to make the sickle cell unit functional, if so, the time likely to be taken therefor;

(c) whether the Government is aware that departments like radiology, orthopedic and oncology in Koraput Medical College have failed to render services due to lack of required equipment and operators; and

(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to revive these services?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) & (b): As per the information received from State of Odisha, there is a proposal for control of Sickle Cell disease and Thalassemia Major in Odisha in collaboration with CMC, Vellore and Department of Biotechnology, GoI and the MoU was for the same was signed on 5th December, 2017. Training of Medical Officers, procurement of equipments and instruments and establishment of SPMU at ILS, Bhubaneswar has been completed. At present, there is availability of drugs and mobility support is given to the affected persons for regular consultations at Hospital @ Rs500/- per month (directly transferred to Bank Accounts of the beneficiary at CHC level).

(c) & (d): As per the information received from State of Odisha (DMET), at present,
• the Orthopaedic unit is functional with 1 (one) professor, 1 (one) Asst. Professor & 2 (Two) Senior Residents.
• The oncology unit has been shifted to District Headquarter Hospital, Koraput at Jeypore.
• The radiology department is fully equipped with Ultrasound Machine, CT scan, X-Ray (5 nos.) including DR&CR.