Dumka: A govt-run Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) Training Centre, built at a cost of Rs 2.08 crore on the Sahibganj Sadar Hospital campus, has remained closed since its inauguration on Aug 6, 2011, as the health department never appointed faculty or provided equipment and basic infrastructure.The centre was intended to provide affordable nursing education, particularly to girls from economically weaker and middle-class families, along with practical training at the district hospital. Instead, the completed building has remained unused for nearly 15 years, forcing ANM aspirants from Sahibganj to seek admission in private nursing institutes outside or within the district.Students alleged that private institutes charge Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for ANM training while issuing receipts for much lower amounts, putting severe financial pressure on families.
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“The govt built the infrastructure but never made it operational. Had the centre functioned, girls from poor families could have received quality nursing education at affordable cost,” said aspirant Priya Kumari.Another student, Neha Hembrom, said the closure had benefited only private institutions. “With no govt facility, students have no option but to join colleges charging exorbitant fees. The centre should be operationalised immediately,” she said.Years of neglect have left the building damaged. Parts of the roof have weakened, iron railings have rusted, doors and windows are broken, electrical wiring and pipelines are in disrepair, and vegetation has spread across the premises. Sources said the structure is currently being used by the health department as a medicine storage facility.Sahibganj civil surgeon Dr Ramdev Paswan said he did not know why the centre never started. He said a proposed govt medical college in the district may eventually offer nursing education, but details on the defunct centre would be sought from the department. Local resident Rab Nawaz Alam said govt inaction had indirectly encouraged costly private institutes.
The unused building