Williamnagar, Jan 31: Healthcare in East Garo Hills is in a shambles. A letter to the chief secretary on Tuesday spoke volumes about the state government’s apathy.
In the letter, Tennydard M Marak, a citizen of Nokgilawe in Williamnagar, said the community health centre (CHC) in the assembly constituency is being projected as a civil hospital since 2007. The signboard outside the building also shows Williamnagar Civil Hospital whereas official records say it is a CHC.
“Why this double standard is maintained in respect of the Williamnagar Community Health Centre as well as Williamnagar Civil Hospital,” the letter read.
Marak also blamed Deborah Marak, who is the Congress’s candidate from Williamnagar, and Marcuise N. Marak, the NPP’s sitting MLA, for not raising the issue. He urged the chief secretary to consider the matter as a top priority issue and make the information public within seven days, “failing which I shall be left with no other option but to approach the court of law for remedial measures in the interest of justice”.
One of the documents enclosed with the letter showed that a Grade V nursing staff member of “Williamnagar CHC” was promoted to Grade IV.
The appalling condition of healthcare centres in the district and the difficulties of the medical staff were further revealed when Meghalaya Monitor visited the primary healthcare centre (PHC) in Songsak. The PHC has 10 beds, five each for men and women, two medical doctors and an Ayush doctor, five nurses and barely any infrastructure. In summer, the PHC has a footfall of over 60 patients a day, and in winter, the number is around 20.
The medical officer at the PHC, Dr Jury D Shira, said one post for an MBBS doctor is vacant. He pointed out that under the National Health Mission (NHM), a PHC should cover a population of 20,000 in hilly, tribal and desert areas. “However, the population that this PHC covers is over 29,000. It should have been a CHC,” he added.
Shira informed that the process to upgrade the PHC has been going on since 2018.
Water scarcity is another major problem at the healthcare centre and the supply dries up during April-May. “It is a problem for us and the public. At times, people bring water from their houses when their relatives have to deliver babies,” Shira said.
Talking about institutional delivery, the doctor said the PHC provides awareness programmes among villagers. While funds for such programmes were irregular in the past, they have been regular for the last two years, he added.
Basic medicines, like paracetamol, are also in short supply. However, life-saving medicines’ supply is regular.
Earlier, Champion Sangma, who is the Congress’s candidate from Songsak, spoke about the appalling condition of the PHC, saying that people are referred to Williamnagar or Tura even for minor ailments.
