Guwahati: A fully constructed government sub-health centre costing nearly Rs 48.38 lakh at Oguri village near Doomdooma in Assam’s Tinsukia district has remained without a regular doctor for the last two years, raising concerns about healthcare delivery and governance, despite its inauguration by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Oguri Sub-Health Centre, located at Rupai Oguri Asomiya Balijan village, was inaugurated under the PM-ABHIM scheme with funding from the National Health Mission (Assam).
The foundation stone was laid on May 13, 2023, and construction, executed by a Makum-based contractor, was completed within seven months.
Two years after its inauguration, the centre continues to function without a regular doctor or Community Health Officer (CHO), and patients currently rely on the services of one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM).
The health centre is fully equipped in terms of infrastructure. The ground floor includes a wellness room, pre- and post-delivery wards, laboratory, immunisation room, labour room, and doctor’s chamber, along with separate toilets for staff and patients.
The upper floor has residential facilities for a doctor.
Medical equipment, furniture, and machinery have already been supplied. Some essential items remain unavailable, and the centre lacks boundary walls.
A local resident said, “A fully functional building without a doctor is meaningless for patients,” reflecting concerns of the village community.
In a temporary arrangement, Dr. Mrinmoy Sahu, Community Health Officer from Majjan Ayushman Arogya Mandir, provided services three days a week.
This arrangement ended last month after Dr. Sahu was transferred to Charaideo district.
The Multipurpose Health Worker, Jayaprakash Barman, was transferred earlier to Nalbari, leaving the centre to be managed solely by the ANM.
The Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia, issued a directive on January 27, 2025, to assign a doctor to the centre, but no permanent appointment has been made.
Local residents and civil society organisations have requested the State Government and district health authorities to appoint a full-time doctor or CHO at the Oguri Sub-Health Centre.
Residents have stated that continued absence of medical staff could affect the effectiveness of public expenditure and limit access to healthcare services in rural and tea garden-adjacent areas.
The Oguri Sub-Health Centre currently operates without a permanent doctor, while the infrastructure remains fully constructed and equipped.