Sambalpur, Apr 9: Union Minister and BJP candidate for Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday came down heavily on the Odisha government for the dismal infrastructure and health service situation in the State.

"Even after 76 years of Independence, an ambulance cannot reach villages. Children are suffering from malnutrition. There are no doctors in government hospitals. Is this transformation of a 25-year-old government," asked Pradhan.

Responding to the incident of carrying a patient on a cot to an ambulance in Gadloisingh Panchayat Belpani village under Yujumura block in Sambalpur district,  Pradhan said even after 76 years of independence, the sight of patients being carried on cots has come to light.

In Odisha, 19% of children are underweight at birth, while 31% of children are of low height compared to age and 18% of children are underweight compared to height. It is disappointing that 64% of children and 62% of women are anaemic in Odisha.

"There is no government hospital in many parts of the State. If there is a hospital at any place, then the hospital lacks doctors, nurses and health workers," he alleged.

He said the ruling party leaders are spreading the wrong message that Odisha is number one. However, this incident (Patient carried on a cot) has exposed the real state of health in the state. Pradhan said the incident has put a question mark on the propaganda of false leaders.

Claiming that a welfare government is running in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister said that the people of Odisha have once again decided to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for the third time and bring a double engine government in Odisha.

Pradhan attended an organisational meeting of BJP workers in Sambalpur and discussed the election strategy. He advised party workers to go door to door to inform common people about the Prime Minister's welfare schemes. He called upon the activists to work towards the goal of building a developed India and a developed Odisha.

Pradhan visited and worshiped the Lord at the Maneshwar Shriram Temple in Sambalpur. Later, he joined a blood donation camp organised by the social organization "Seva Bharti" at Govindpali. The Union Minister praised the efforts of the organisation and said that the participation of the youth of Sambalpur in a sacred work like blood donation is commendable. He also took blessings by participating in Maa Budhima Yatra at Thelakopada.