Shillong, Sept 20: The residents of Jongksha in East Khasi Hills on Friday shut down the Jongksha Community Health Centre (CHC) due to non-availability of doctors to provide services at this government medical facility.
It was reported that patients who went to seek medical treatment to this CHC were forced to leave and seek treatment elsewhere, particularly in Shillong.
It’s worth mentioning that the Jongksha CHC was upgraded from a Primary Health Centre (PHC) to CHC in September 2022.
A local resident, who is also a member of one Village Organisation (VO), Shlem Jingkyrmen, said the closure of the CHC was a direct result of the absence of doctors to treat patients. According to him, the CHC has three MBBS doctors, but they all have been on leave since September 14, 2024.
The resident added that hospital management began discharging patients on September 14 due to lack of doctors. The resident also reported that community leaders, led by the Rangbah Shnong, visited the CHC on Thursday and confirmed the absence of all the doctors. They also learnt that the doctors had taken 45 days of leave.
The concerned resident further expressed frustration, stating that the doctors took leave without any replacements, leaving the ailing patients unattended.
The village leaders notified the local Sordar, who agreed to speak with higher authorities in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. However, due to the lack of action from the department, the residents decided to close down the CHC until doctors are made available.
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