Bageshwar locals threaten agitation

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 30

Local residents are blaming the callous attitude of the Health Department and the state government for the death of an expectant mother while on her way to hospital two days ago. Pro-people organisations and women’s organisations in Bageshwar district have threatened to launch an agitation from February 22 against poor health facilities in interior areas, if the state government fails to take action in the matter.

“We have submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate in connection with the woman’s death. We have demanded registration of an FIR against those responsible for the death of the woman from Kapkot,” said Pankaj Pandey, president of the Bageshwar Jan Manch.

Women leaders from the area say in the absence of doctors and other medical staff in rural hospitals, several expectant mothers have died for want of appropriate medical attention. They say 125 women had died in hill districts under such circumstances in the last 14 years.

“The death of an expectant mother in an emergency service 108 vehicle is alarming. We have decided to visit Karmi village, where the woman resided. We will take stock of the health conditions of the village women and the medical facilities available there,” said Geeta Aithani, president of the BJP women’s wing in Bageshwar.

Neema Vaishnav, in charge of Laxmi Ashram at Kausani, said Usha, who died on her way to hospital, was not the lone case. Many women lose their lives while being taken to hospital during childbirth. “If people do not agitate against such abysmal health facilities in rural areas, hundreds of other women run the risk of dying during labour pain,” said Neema.

According to sources, in Bageshwar district, there are only 34 doctors against the required strength of 77 and the district has no hospital for women. The problem-ridden community health centres (CHC) refer cases related to women to the District Hospital, which sometimes refers them to higher medical centres. Most of the expectant mothers die while being taken from their villages to the District Hospital as they have to cover a distance of 10 km to 34 km on rugged hill roads.