Chadhiar villagers launch dharna, hunger strike over crumbling healthcare

Hundreds of men, women and children staged a dharna outside the Civil Hospital in Chadhiar, about 40 km from Palampur, protesting against the deteriorating healthcare facilities. The agitated villagers raised anti-government slogans, accusing the Congress government of neglecting the hospital, which caters to nearly 50,000 residents of the Changer area. Later, the protesters also began a hunger strike in front of the Medical Officer’s office.

Naveen Chauhan, president of the Sangarsh Samiti, said the hospital was reeling under a severe healthcare crisis due to staff shortage and outdated infrastructure. Over 70 per cent of medical and paramedical posts are vacant, including nurses and sanitary workers, resulting in unhygienic wards and unusable bathrooms. Unlike other civil hospitals in the state where sanitary workers have been hired on a contract basis, Chadhiar Civil Hospital has not appointed a single one, worsening the situation.

He pointed out that the hospital mess, shut down six years ago, remains non-functional due to the lack of kitchen staff. The only ultrasound machine has been lying idle for five years for want of a technician, while the X-ray plant is outdated and unfit for use. Even the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, which is responsible for hospital oversight, has not held a meeting for more than a year.

“Of the nine sanctioned posts of medical officers, only four are filled. Out of 12 sanctioned posts for nurses, only one is occupied. In the past 10 years, not a single surgical operation has been conducted here. Patients with even minor ailments are compelled to travel to Baijnath, Tanda Medical College, Palampur or even Punjab for treatment. The absence of a gynaecologist has forced expectant mothers to seek care in distant hospitals,” Chauhan said.

He added that emergency services are virtually non-existent. Although more than 200 patients visit the hospital daily, serious and accident cases are routinely referred elsewhere, sometimes even outside the state. Despite repeated demands from Chadhiar residents to fill the vacant posts of doctors, nurses and technicians, no substantial action has been taken, leaving villagers with no option but to resort to protest and hunger strike.

Meanwhile, a senior Health Department official claimed that efforts are underway to improve staffing and fill vacancies, but the villagers remain unconvinced as the crisis deepens.