Tinsukia: A government sub-health centre constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 48.38 lakh at Oguri village near Doomdooma in Assam’s Tinsukia district has remained without a regular doctor for the past two years, raising serious concerns over healthcare delivery and administrative accountability. The Oguri Sub-Health Centre, located at Rupai Oguri Asomiya Balijan village, was inaugurated under the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) with funding from the National Health Mission (Assam). The foundation stone was laid on May 13, 2023, and construction was completed within seven months by a Makum-based contractor.
Despite being fully constructed and inaugurated, the centre continues to function without a permanent doctor or Community Health Officer (CHO). At present, healthcare services are being managed by a single Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM).
The facility is well-equipped in terms of infrastructure. The ground floor houses a wellness room, laboratory, immunisation room, labour room, pre- and post-delivery wards, and a doctor’s chamber, along with separate toilets for staff and patients. The upper floor includes residential quarters for a doctor. Medical equipment, furniture and machinery have already been supplied, although some essential items and boundary walls are still missing.
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“A fully functional building without a doctor is meaningless for patients,” a local resident said, reflecting widespread concern in the village. As a temporary measure, Dr Mrinmoy Sahu, a Community Health Officer from Majjan Ayushman Arogya Mandir, had been providing services three days a week. However, this arrangement ended last month following his transfer to Charaideo district. Earlier, Multipurpose Health Worker Jayaprakash Barman was transferred to Nalbari.
Although the Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia, issued a directive on January 27, 2025, to assign a doctor, no permanent appointment has been made so far. Local residents and civil society organisations have urged the State Government and district health authorities to immediately appoint a full-time doctor or CHO, warning that continued staff shortages undermine public expenditure and restrict access to healthcare in rural and tea garden-adjacent areas.
