BAGHMARA, July 1: With the two-day sit-in at Baghmara Civil Hospital ending on Friday without eliciting action from authorities, the dissatisfied South Garo Hills-based groups have threatened another series of agitation next week.
“We wanted to continue the protest till Monday and beyond but due to the other NGO leaders having prior commitments, we will restart the agitation on Thursday and Friday next week,” said GSU president, Chuang Sangma.
It may be mentioned that the sit-in, which began on Thursday, was organised jointly organised by the GSU, ADE, GSMC, FKJGP, AHAM and AYWO, to demand an overhaul of the Baghmara Civil Hospital.
On day one of the sit-in, Medical Superintendent of Baghmara Civil Hospital had assured the protesters that efforts were on to resolve the matter.
“The MS had informed us that a proposal to uplift the hospital had already been sent to the National Health Mission (NHM) but we are unhappy as this may take years to be worked on. How are patients going to get used to such filth when it comes to their health for years to come? The situation is only likely to get worse,” the GSU president said.
It is pertinent to note that the groups are demanding appointment to various posts in the hospital, revamp of hospital infrastructure, among others.
They had pointed that the hospital is reeling under unhygienic toilets, leaking roofs, et al.
“People come from all parts of the district to the Baghmara Civil Hospital for their health issues. Imagine patients in wards having to move about because the roof is leaking. Is this how such an important and critical infrastructure is meant to work,” Sangma questioned.
Maintaining that their fight was for the betterment of facilities in a public institution, the groups said, “We will not stop until work is started to make things better (in the hospital).”
