The Digboi hospital revival plan has gained fresh attention after Assam’s National Health Mission (NHM) Executive Director, Dr Abhijit Sharma, expressed concern over low patient turnout at the 200-bed Assam Oil Division (AOD) Hospital in Digboi.
During an inspection on October 22, an NHM-led delegation found fewer than five inpatients at the facility. The visit followed an appeal by Digboi MLA Suren Phukan, who sought government intervention to address the hospital’s declining condition.
Digboi hospital revival gains government attention
The inspection has raised questions about why a hospital with 200 beds attracts so few inpatients. Dr Sharma acknowledged the facility’s potential but said its patient numbers fell well below expectations for an institution of its size.
The visit followed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s direction to assess the hospital after Phukan raised concerns about its functioning. The delegation included representatives from the government and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), which operates the hospital under its Assam Oil Division.
However, officials have yet to announce a detailed revival roadmap. The assessment is expected to help authorities examine the facility’s problems and consider possible measures to improve healthcare delivery.
The Digboi hospital revival effort now faces the challenge of turning official scrutiny into practical improvements for patients.
Staff shortages and referrals raise concerns
Residents have repeatedly expressed concern about the hospital’s declining services. They have attributed the drop in patient numbers partly to shortages of doctors and other medical personnel.
Locals have also alleged that patients often receive referrals to Dibrugarh for treatment, including for some relatively minor health conditions. Such referrals can increase travel costs and create difficulties for families seeking timely medical attention.
Moreover, concerns about specialist availability and diagnostic facilities have raised questions about whether the hospital can meet local healthcare needs.
These accounts reflect residents’ concerns and require consideration alongside an official assessment of the hospital’s staffing, equipment and services. A clear understanding of the causes will be essential to any effective Digboi hospital revival plan.
Historic AOD Hospital faces a turning point
Established in 1938 near the Digboi Refinery, the AOD Hospital once served as a prominent healthcare institution for Digboi and surrounding areas. Its long history has made the facility an important part of the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
Today, however, its low inpatient count highlights the gap between its physical capacity and its actual use. The situation has renewed calls to improve medical services and make better use of the existing infrastructure.
Phukan has sought the chief minister’s intervention to address the hospital’s problems. He has also advocated improvements in specialist care, staffing and the use of available resources.
Meanwhile, a public-private partnership (PPP) model has emerged as one possible option for the hospital’s revival. Such an arrangement could involve cooperation between public authorities and a private partner to strengthen services. However, officials have not announced a final decision, funding details or an implementation timeline.
Digboi hospital revival plan awaits concrete action
The inspection also included a visit to Digboi Community Health Centre (CHC), where NHM officials approved equipment and repair work. The sanctioned items included an operation theatre table, two mobile beds, portable lights, a cardiotocography machine, two monitors and three autoclaves.
Authorities also approved repairs to the centre’s operation theatre and bathrooms. The equipment supply and repair work were expected to be completed within a week of the inspection.
These approvals concern the CHC and do not confirm similar sanctions for the AOD Hospital. Nevertheless, they have raised expectations that officials may take further steps to address healthcare gaps in the area.
For residents, the Digboi hospital revival plan remains an important test of whether government attention can lead to lasting improvements. The next steps will depend on the assessment, discussions with IOCL and decisions about staffing, facilities and management.
Until authorities announce a clear action plan, questions about the hospital’s future remain unresolved. Residents will be watching for practical measures that restore reliable treatment and rebuild public confidence in the historic instituion.