Digboi: The executive director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, Dr Abhijit Sharma, was reportedly dismayed to find no patients at the 200-bed Assam Oil Division (AOD) Hospital in Digboi during a recent inspection, bringing the deteriorating condition of the historic facility back into focus.
"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," Dr Sharma said.
"A lot needs to be done for the area. We are assessing the situation and will inform you about the next steps after the inspection," he added.
The hospital, currently operated by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), has a long-standing connection with the development of the oil industry in India. Established by the British in 1938 around the Digboi Refinery, widely recognised as Asia’s first oil refinery, the facility was once regarded as one of the leading hospitals in the Northeast.
For decades, the hospital attracted patients from across the region, with long queues reportedly a common sight. However, residents allege that the facility has deteriorated over the past few years due to a shortage of doctors and other medical personnel.
According to local accounts, the lack of adequate medical staff has discouraged patients from visiting the hospital. Residents have also alleged that doctors frequently refer patients to Dibrugarh even for relatively minor ailments, undermining the purpose of having a well-equipped hospital in Digboi.
Despite its spacious premises, established infrastructure and scenic surroundings, the hospital has reportedly struggled to maintain its former reputation. The situation has caused concern among residents, who fear that an important healthcare institution with considerable historical significance is gradually losing its relevance.
Locals have repeatedly urged IOCL to improve the hospital’s facilities and staffing. However, residents allege that their demands have not received adequate attention, allowing the institution’s condition to worsen.
MLA Seeks State Government Intervention
Amid growing voices, local MLA Suren Phukan has approached the Chief Minister seeking intervention to revive the hospital.
Phukan has reportedly said that the state government would work towards improving the historic facility by bringing it under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
If implemented, the proposal could help restore medical services at the hospital and address healthcare concerns in Upper Assam, while also preserving an institution closely associated with the region’s industrial history.
The proposed intervention has raised hopes among residents that the hospital could regain its former standing. However, further details regarding the plan and its implementation are awaited.