PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Stung by the hunger strike and massive protest by the locals die to lack of health facilities in Chaukhutia town of Almora district the State Health department has upgraded the community health centre (CHC) of Chaukhutia to sub district hospital.
In a letter directed to the director general of Health Services, Dr Sunita Tamta, the Health Services secretary R Rajesh Kumar gave approval for upgrading the 30-bed CHC of Chaukhutia to 50-bed sub district hospital. In her letter dated October 8, the Health sServices DG had requested for upgrading the CHC.
In his letter, Kumar directed the DG to send a proposal for creation of new posts of doctors and the land and building required for sub district hospital as per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms.
It is pertinent to mention here that on Wednesday the local residents of Chaukhutia town and nearby areas took out a massive protest demanding better health services. The protest march was part of the 14- day long agitation and hunger strike by the locals in front of the local CHC. Apart from better health facilities the locals of Chaukhutia were demanding upgrading the CHC and availability of doctors in the government health facility. They pointed out that in absence of doctors they are forced to go to Almora and Ranikhet even for basic treatment and tests. The protesters also demaned appointment of specialist doctors in Chaukhutia.
The Health minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that specialist doctors, nursing staff, pharmacists, lab technicians as per the IPHS norms will be appointed in sub district hospital Chaukhutia.
