The AIIMS Satellite Centre at Balasore, inaugurated four years ago, continues to operate at a limited capacity, leaving residents frustrated over unmet expectations for advanced healthcare. Currently, the centre provides outpatient department (OPD) services only on Fridays and Saturdays, with no indoor treatment or specialist doctor availability.
Infrastructure gaps remain, including non-functional laboratories and medicine stores. Frequent rotation of doctors has affected continuity of care, while patient registrations at Balasore are reportedly not recognised by AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Patient numbers have dropped sharply, from 8,550 in 2020 to just 440 by February 2025, highlighting public dissatisfaction.
Residents and medical committee members have urged Odisha and central authorities to expedite staffing and resource allocation. Mitrabandhu Palei said, “Doctors from several departments remain absent. The government should prioritise this centre.” Similarly, Sheikh Sarfadin added, “The satellite centre exists only on paper. Constructing a building serves no purpose unless doctors are appointed.”
In response, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Medical Superintendent Dillip Kumar Parida assured that comprehensive healthcare services would begin after the ongoing recruitment process. He expects the Balasore Satellite Centre to become fully functional within three months, but local residents remain cautious about the timeline.
A fully operational AIIMS Balasore would not only benefit northern Odisha but also serve bordering districts of West Bengal, fulfilling a long-standing demand for quality healthcare in the region.
