Demand for District Health officer
Mawkyrwat: The Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) Mawkyrwat Circle locked down the office of the District Medical & Health Officer (DM&HO) on Tuesday and warned of intense agitation if the government does not pay heed to their demand of a full-fledged district health officer in Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills district.
Speaking to media persons after locking up the office, KSU general secretary of Mawkyrwat Circle, Rutherford Lyngdoh lambasted the government for not paying attention to the problems faced by the people of the district even after the union had started the agitation.
“We have been waiting and cooperative with the government to appoint a full fledged DM&HO, but it seems all our efforts are in vain as the government did not pay any heed. Therefore, we have decided to lock down the office as a mark of protest against the failure of the government”, he said.
President of KSU SWKHD, Forwardman Nongrem said the union had been patient and waited for the government to do something for the welfare of the people by meeting the Health Minister and Director of Health Services since 2017.
He added that this year also they went to discuss about the pending 100 bedded hospital at Mawkyrwat and the need to appoint a full fledged DM&HO.
Nongrem stated that the district is now in a crisis in terms of health.
He pointed out anomalies within the Community Health Centres (CHCs) at Mawkyrwat and Ranikor as well as the PHCs and Sub-Centres.
He also criticised the representatives of Mawkyrwat and Ranikor for not speaking up about the 100 Bed hospital in Mawkyrwat and also about the need to appoint the a full fledged health officer.
The president warned that the union will organise intense agitation if the government continues to be silent. He added that if something bad happens not only the Health Minister, the Director of Health Services or Health Department will have to take responsibility but the public representatives as well.
Nongrem also said that the closing down of the office of DM&HO marks the beginning of agitation and if the government continues to be adamant with their demands it will have no option but take it to the streets to demand the rights of the people of the district.