Odisha: BSF to launch boat ambulance service in Malkangiri on Republic Day

KORAPUT: Over 20,000 people of 151 villages in Swabhiman anchal across Balimela reservoir in Maoist-hit Malkangiri district of Odisha will soon get better healthcare facilities as the Border Security Force (BSF) is going to launch boat ambulance service from January 26.
“There has been tremendous development in Malkangiri and Koraput districts after the Maoists activities were contained to a great extent.The BSF with the help of Odisha police has intensified its area dominance exercises and the BSF will launch boat ambulance service for the residents of Swabhiman anchal from January 26,” said Satish Budakoti, IG BSF.
Recently, the state government had inaugurated a 50-bed portable health center at Badapada in Swabhiman anchal. The boat ambulance service will be an addition to the prevailing healthcare facilities in the area. The portable health center is equipped with 50 beds, including four Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and oxygen concentrators for treatment of critical patients.
At present, the residents of the Swabhiman anchal depend on the sub-divisional hospital at Chitrakonda and primary health center at Janbai, but for this they had to cover miles in waterway. It has been a nightmare experience for many to shift patients to hospitals in emergencies.
Owing to its geographical location, which is surrounded by the Balimela reservoir from three sides and bordering Andhra Pradesh, the Maoists diktat rules Swabhimaan anchal as waterway was the only mode of communication to reach the place.
However, after the construction of the Gurupriya bridge in 2018, the area was connected to the mainland, leading to development activities in the area.