Assam Officials Scrutinize Failing Digboi Oil Hospital

Guwahati: National Health Mission Assam Executive Director Dr. Abhijit Sharma inspected the 200-bed Assam Oil Division Hospital in Digboi this week. He found the patient turnout alarmingly low. The facility, established by the British in 1938 near Asia's first oil refinery, currently operates under the Indian Oil Corporation Limited. It once served as a primary healthcare hub for the entire Northeast.

Local MLA Suren Phukan pushed for this inspection after flagging the decline to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Residents complain that a lack of doctors and medical staff drives patients away. They claim staff frequently refer people to Dibrugarh for minor issues, forcing families to travel far for basic care. Sharma noted the untapped potential of the site. "MLA sir had informed us about this hospital, following which the Chief Minister advised us to visit and inspect the facility. We have come here and found that there is a lot of potential, but I am not satisfied with the patient load. For a hospital of this size, the number of patients should have been much higher," Sharma said.

The state government is now weighing a public-private partnership model to fix the facility. Officials have not yet released details on funding or timelines for the potential handover. For now, the people of Upper Assam wait for a plan. The future of this historic institution remains in limbo.