Patients Cry for Help as Joginder Nagar Health Services Collapse; Doctors Missing, Ultrasound Machine Rusting Since 18 Years
Joginder Nagar, May 2:
Health services in Joginder Nagar are in complete disarray, and the silence of the state government has only made matters worse, said Himachal Kisan Sabha State Vice President and Zila Parishad member Kushal Bhardwaj on Thursday.
Taking strong note of the crumbling system, Bhardwaj slammed both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP, accusing them of turning Joginder Nagar into a political cricket ground where "match-fixing" thrives while people suffer.
"For the past 13 years, basic amenities like roads, transport, and drinking water have been in shambles. But the current condition of healthcare is beyond pathetic—it's a crisis," he said.
Bhardwaj alleged that political nepotism and contractor-politician nexus continue to flourish irrespective of the government in power.
"When BJP ruled, Congress-affiliated contractors switched sides to get their work done. Now, with Congress in power, it's BJP's contractors making merry. Public welfare? Nowhere in sight," he remarked.
Citing the ground reality, Bhardwaj said that the Civil Hospital in Joginder Nagar has no MD, orthopedic specialist, pediatrician, surgeon, dermatologist, ENT specialist, or ophthalmologist.
"An ultrasound machine has been lying unused for the last 18 years due to the absence of a sonographer," he added.
He exposed how health centres in the area exist only on paper. "The so-called Civil Hospital at Ladbharol is nothing more than a PHC without even basic facilities.
It has been struggling for doctors since its CHC days and continues to run on God’s mercy.
The CHC at Chauntra runs with just one doctor. It's on a national highway and caters to patients from 15 panchayats and accident victims from the highway.
Yet, there are no adequate doctors or infrastructure," he said.
Even the Civil Hospital at Padhar has no specialist doctors, and most PHCs across the region are running understaffed, said Bhardwaj.
“What’s worse is the collective silence of those in power—be it local MLAs, MPs, ministers or opposition leaders. No one seems to care about Joginder Nagar,” Bhardwaj charged.
He demanded immediate filling of all vacant specialist posts and the appointment of a sonographer to put the long-rusted ultrasound machine to use.
He warned that the Himachal Kisan Sabha will soon launch a public campaign to demand restoration of health services and, if needed, will resort to an agitation.
“People are dying in silence. But if the government stays deaf, we’ll make sure they hear us loud and clear,” Bhardwaj said.
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