Kuther CHC bleeds in silence

The Community Health Centre (CHC) at Kuther in the Jawali Assembly constituency has been facing a severe healthcare crisis due to the acute shortage of doctors and support staff. Established in 2012, the CHC was meant to cater to the medical needs of over a dozen nearby gram panchayats, but for the past two years, it has been left severely understaffed, forcing patients to travel long distances for even basic medical care.

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Despite having sanctioned posts for two doctors and one staff nurse, the Health Department has failed to ensure their regular presence at the CHC. Instead, the lone doctor and the nurse posted at Kuther have repeatedly been deputed to the Civil Hospital in Jawali, leaving the CHC practically non-functional for most of the week. As a result, essential services such as the Out Patient Department (OPD), emergency, and indoor ward — which has six beds — remain suspended.

Residents from Bhali, Batees Meel, Soldha, Dol, Paddar, Nadoli, Bagga, Jangal, Rajol, Bahi-Pathiar and Kuther have expressed deep concern over the neglect. With no medical support nearby, they are now forced to travel to Shahpur or Nurpur for healthcare, placing an additional burden on patients, especially during emergencies.

Sushil Sharma, Pradhan of Kuther Gram Panchayat, criticised the health department’s apathy, stating that repeated requests to restore full-time services and cancel the deputations had been ignored. “The health services for thousands have collapsed. OPD and emergency services are urgently needed, but no concrete steps have been taken,” he said.

Surinder Kumar, local Block Development Committee (BDC) member, highlighted the strategic importance of the CHC, given its proximity to National Highway-154 near Ranital and Batees Meel. With the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane highway under construction, accident-prone zones have increased, making the CHC critical for emergency response. “Victims of highway accidents are the worst affected due to the absence of medical personnel at the CHC,” he said, appealing to local MLA and Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar to intervene and ensure regular staffing.

When contacted, Dr Meenal Kaur, the only doctor posted at the CHC, confirmed she had been serving on deputation at Jawali Civil Hospital until June 30. She acknowledged that regular OPD, emergency and indoor services at Kuther are only feasible if doctors and support staff are posted full-time.

Locals continue to demand urgent action to revive the CHC, which was once seen as a crucial healthcare hub but is now reduced to a deserted facility.