From Our Correspondent
TURA, Aug 9: The NGOs of Chokpot Civil Sub-Division, South Garo Hills, have raised serious concerns over the poor state of affairs at the Chokpot Community Health Centre (CHC) due to lack of maintenance and shortage of doctors.
According to Jish A. Sangma, president of the GSU Chokpot Unit, upon receiving distressing reports about the functioning and condition of the CHC, members of the GSU and the Chokpot Area Vigilance conducted a surprise visit to the health facility on August 6.
To their utter dismay, they found only one doctor on duty that day, raising serious questions as to how the entire CHC was expected to function with just a single doctor to attend to the healthcare needs of the whole community, alongside the absence of other doctors posted at the CHC. The two NGOs also noted with concern several other issues plaguing the CHC, including a non-functioning ceiling fan in the male ward, unstable power supply and filthy, unhygienic toilets and washrooms—conditions that reflect complete neglect by the authorities concerned. This has caused immense hardship to patients, many of whom travel long distances to seek medical care.
“Such neglect of a health facility is unacceptable and a clear violation of basic healthcare standards,” the GSU president stated in a press release.
The NGOs have strongly urged the authorities concerned to take immediate action to address the shortage of doctors and staff, ensure proper maintenance of the facility, and restore a dignified standard of healthcare for the people of Chokpot.