MAWKYRWAT: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Ranikor, organised a black badge protest against poor healthcare service and the government’s apathy to pay heed to residents’ problems.
Members of HYC went to the Community Health Centre on Tuesday morning to protest against a pharmacist whose absenteeism has inconvenienced patients as well as other medical staff.
HYC also criticized the Health Department for not providing an ambulance.
The protesters were, however, not allowed inside. So they pinned black badges on visitors waiting outside the health centre.
Speaking to reporters, HYC Ranikor Circle President Kyrmen K. Ryja said, “People are facing problems as they have to spend more time because the already burdened nurses here have to take up the pharmacist’s responsibilities,” Ryja said.
HYC demanded that the department look into the matter immediately.
In the past, several instances of neglect by the Government to improve health care facilities in the rural areas were brought to the notice of the authorities concerned by various pressure groups both in Khasi Hills and Garo Hills.
Besides inadequate manpower, other pending issues include lack of infrastructure facilities and medicines in hospitals located in the rural areas of the State.
