Revoke transfer of lone specialist doc: Pangi residents
Furious over the transfer of the only specialist doctor posted at Civil Hospital, Killar, residents of the tribal Pangi Valley have threatened to launch a stir, if the government failed to rollback the decision.
Dr Vishal Sharma, a surgeon and the only specialist doctor serving in Pangi Valley, has been given a new posting at Civil Hospital, Bharmour, after completing a six-month training in Abdomino-Pelvic UltraSonography.
The decision by the state government has triggered widespread resentment among the local populace and civil organisations.
Multiple organisations, including the Block Congress Committee, and individuals have shot off letters to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, resenting the move and urging immediate revocation of the transfer order.
They argue that the valley’s already fragile healthcare system will collapse without specialised services, especially with the winter season approaching.
“Once the snow sets in, the valley will be cut off from the rest of the state for over six months. How will we get specialised medical services then,” asks Ajit Rana, a resident.
The residents fear that the transfer will exacerbate health challenges in the tribal region, which is geographically isolated and lacks adequate healthcare facilities. In winter, Pangi remains largely inaccessible due to heavy snow, making it difficult for residents to travel outside the valley for medical treatment.
Local leaders have warned of a potential stir if the government does not address their concerns promptly.
The Killar Civil Hospital is the biggest health institution in the tribal and landlocked region, which caters to a population of around 25,000 from 55 villages.
Despite being upgraded to a 50-bed hospital in 2016, the hospital’s operations are crippled by the lack of staff and machinery. Apart from the specialist surgeon, the hospital has four MBBS doctors. Additionally, the hospital lacks critical support staff such as operation theatre assistants and nurses.
“In critical situations, the surgeon played multiple roles, including that of a gynaecologist, radiologist and anaesthesiologist,” said Rana.
“In winter, when it becomes even difficult to move out of the valley, people are forced to travel 700 km to reach district headquarters. However, the government seems to be little concerned about our plight,” he said.
Satish Sharma, a member of Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) and a Pangi resident, has written to the Chief Minister demanding revocation of the transfer order.
Surjeet Bharmouri, a member of the Board of Directors of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), said this would be a great injustice to the people of Pangi and he would take up the matter with the CM. The Pangi Block Congress Committee president Subhash Chauhan has also written to the Chief Minister, stating that people of Pangi were feeling disappointed, let down and ignored due to this action.
An Association of Panchayat Pradhans of the Pangi Valley have also echoed similar sentiments while Pangwal Ekta Manch, led by its president Trilok Thakur, has submitted a memorandum to the CM through the Pangi Resident Commissioner seeking to cancellation of the surgeon’s transfer.
”This is not just a transfer, it’s a blow to the healthcare services we heavily depend on. We will not hesitate to take to the streets. If the government fails to revoke the order within two days, we will launch a hunger strike,” said Thakur.
