Unending wait for health centre

Tribune News Service

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Mussoorie, December 20

Town residents are unhappy at the delay in the construction of the community health centre at the site of the demolished historical Civil Hospital, near Landour Bazaar. They are demanding that the government should get the construction work completed without delay.

The residents, irked at the slow pace of work for the hospital building, say the government has failed to provide them with a proper hospital building having modern facilities.

The construction of the hospital that started in 2010 was scheduled to complete in 2013 but due to the lackadaisical approach of the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, only a concrete structure stands, making a mockery of the health care system.

The civil hospital was demolished to make way for a new building at a cost of around Rs 3.50 crore. But the cost has now escalated to Rs 5 crore.

Dr Sandeep Tandon, Medical Superintendent of the centre, says the delay in the construction of the hospital has forced them to run  the facility from staff quarters. The doctors are now staying on rent in the town which is an expensive proposition.

Uttar Pradesh Nirman Nigam officials blame lack of budget for stalling of the work here. Residents have warned that if the work on the hospital is not started soon, they will launch an agitation in the town. 

Local historian Gopal Bhardwaj says bare minimum health facilities are available in a town that was well-known for its health services during the British Raj. There were several hospitals that afforded good treatment. The Cottage Hospital, earlier known as St Mary’s Hospital, above the Camel’s Back Road, was built in 1915. It was run by a society for Europeans only. However, this rule was relaxed later and Indians were also provided treatment here. The civil surgeon was the head of the institution that had an operating theatre attached.  Evelyn Hall Nursing Home was a private institution run by Mrs Bell where patients were admitted at a fixed payment.

The civil hospital that was demolished to pave the way for a combined health centre  was a charitable institution run by the district board. The Sub-Assistant Surgeon was its in charge. The Civil Surgeon and the Assistant Civil Surgeon both had their offices here and they attended to patients. The hospital had an attached operating theatre.

The station staff hospital in the Landour Cantt area was meant for soldiers. A dispensary was also available for people living at Library Bazaar and near Savoy Hotel. Adjoining it was the Veterinary Hospital. It is sad that the place that used to have adequate health services during the British Raj is lacking in resources, says Bhardwaj.

Dr Tandon says he has written to the authorities to complete the hospital.