Berhampur: The district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Phulbani, Kandhamal, is set to receive a major boost in facilities with the govt sanctioning modern medical equipment to enhance patient care.Chief district medical officer (CDMO), Santosh Kumar Padhy, announced that the hospital will soon be equipped with a range of new diagnostic tools, including an ultrasound machine, an ECG machine, a Doppler ultrasound system, and two portable X-ray machines. In addition, two new hearse vans will be introduced to help improve transport of deceased, particularly in remote areas.The hospital’s bed capacity has recently been increased from 330 to 420, with expansion work expected to be completed within a month.Sources said the additional hearse vehicles will be deployed to selected rural hospitals, adding to the three existing ones — two in Phulbani and one at the Baliguda sub-divisional hospital.The infrastructure development gains particular significance as the DHH will serve the newly constructed medical college in Phulbani.The govt plans to commence admissions to the medical college this year, pending inspection and recognition from the Medical Council of India (MCI).