Women on warpath force government to bow to their demands of better health facilities in Almora
Women on warpath force government to bow to their demands of better health facilities in Almora
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Oct 16
The agitation for basic facilities like appointment of specialist doctors in Community Health Centre, Chakhutiya, Almora district has spread to remote villages of Gewar valley, affecting almost 80 villages and town of Chaukhutiya. The agitation entered its’ 16th day as a large number of women protested at Chaukutiya against the dismissal health facilities in the area.
Bowing to the public pressure particularly the role played by women, the state government today ordered upgradation of the Community Health Centre, Chaukhutiya as a sub-district hospital with a capacity of 50 beds. A digital X-ray machine would also be installed in the hospital. An order in this regard was passed by Secretary health R. Rajesh Kumar, today.
“The agitation that started with long pending demand of specialist doctors in CHC, has now spread to villages of the region, as the villagers are suffering due to lack of specialist doctors,” said Bhuwan Kathyat, an ex-army man and a former Uttarakhand Kranti dal (UKD) leader.
The poor residents of the region who cannot bear the financial burden of being referred to higher centers demanded appointment of specialist doctors in the CHC. “All the of political parties, social organisations, women organisations, traders’ body and youth are participating in the agitation, “said Kathayat.
“Over 5000 people from all villages of Gewar valley, yesterday took a procession from Aarati Ghat of Ramganga to market. The procession was accompanied by traditional musical instruments like Dhol, Damau, Ransingha and Holi flags of local deities,” said Kathayat.
Addressing the gathering, Dwarahat MLA Madan Bisht has said that his wife had died on June 8,this year as she could not get primary treatment in local CHC and had to be referred to higher center.
The local traders’ union closed their shops in support of the agitation yesterday. “If need arises, we will also sit in hunger strike in support of the demands,” said Harish Kaira, president of traders union of Chaukhutiya.
Women, who took part in large numbers in the agitation said that they are ones who have faced the brunt of lack of specialist doctors in the CHC.”The community health center has no specialist for women’s diseases and women had to go Haldwani or Ranikhet to get even basic treatment for their ailments. “The center has neither Ultra sound machines nor any gynaecologist available there,” said Sunita Bisht, a woman reached the spot from Chandikhet village to take part in agitation.
The agitators had lamented that despite the agitation continuing from last 15 days, no firm announcement has come from the state government. “The Director Health of Kumaon region, who was sent by the government to pacify the agitators, could not make assurances to pacify the agitators. We have no option but to continue the agitation,” said Bhuwan Kathayat, one of the organiser of the agitation.
