Digboi: A high-level National Health Mission (NHM) delegation found fewer than five inpatients at Digboi’s historic Assam Oil Division (AOD) Hospital, which has 200 beds, during an inspection on Thursday.
The team was led by NHM Assam Executive Director Abhijit Sarma and included Digboi MLA Suren Phukan, IOCL Executive Director Rahul Prashant and senior government officials, including the Digboi Co-District Commissioner.
The low patient count has renewed calls for government intervention to improve the hospital’s services.
The inspection was held at the direction of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following a request from Phukan. The MLA had sought government intervention over the hospital’s declining condition.
The hospital is managed under Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IOCL) Assam Oil Division (AOD) corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. The British-era institution once served as a major healthcare facility for Digboi and nearby areas.
However, it has struggled to provide reliable medical services, specialist care and diagnostic facilities despite its infrastructure and CSR support. The low inpatient count has also raised questions about how its facilities are being used and why patients are seeking treatment elsewhere, including in Dibrugarh.
Phukan had earlier approached the Chief Minister to seek action on the hospital’s prolonged decline. In a Facebook post, he thanked the Chief Minister for responding to his request and arranging the inspection. He also questioned whether the state government’s intervention would lead IOCL to upgrade the hospital.
After the inspection, the delegation met at the AOD hospital’s conference hall. The outcome of the meeting has not yet been officially communicated to the media.
The NHM delegation also visited Digboi Community Health Centre (CHC), where Abhijit Sarma was reportedly satisfied with its administration and functioning. He sanctioned equipment for the centre, including one operation theatre (OT) table, two mobile beds, portable lights, one cardiotocography (CTG) machine, two monitors and three autoclaves.
Repairs to the OT bathrooms and operation theatre were also approved. The equipment supply and repair work are expected to be completed within a week.
The equipment and repair approvals at the CHC have raised expectations that similar action will be taken to address the AOD hospital’s problems.
The state government’s engagement with IOCL management and the Union Petroleum Ministry will be important in determining whether the inspection leads to a long-term plan to improve the hospital.
Residents of Digboi are now waiting to learn whether the inspection and meeting will lead to concrete measures to restore the hospital’s services and public confidence. An official account of the discussions and details of the proposed action plan are still awaited.