Nurpur’s 50-bed mother-child hospital remains non-functional

The 50-bed Mother-Child Hospital (MCH) in Nurpur, built opposite the Civil Hospital, has remained locked and non-operational for two years since its inauguration, leaving expectant mothers and newborns in the lower Kangra region without promised healthcare facilities. Despite being formally inaugurated on October 8, 2022, by then-Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania, the facility has yet to benefit the community due to neglect by the state government.

The Rs 13-crore hospital was intended to provide essential maternal and newborn care to residents of Nurpur, Indora, Jawali, Fatehpur and Bhatiyat under the Janani Suraksha Yojana. However, no staff has been appointed and the completion of civil works, including the installation of electricity and water supply, was halted after a change in government. In a move that fueled further resentment, the medical equipment initially set up in the hospital was relocated to another MCH facility in Una in June last year.

Local residents, who anticipated healthcare relief from this centrally funded project under the National Health Mission, are now forced to seek services at distant facilities such as Tanda Medical College in Kangra or private hospitals in Pathankot, Punjab. Dr Dilwar Singh, the officiating Medical Superintendent of Nurpur Civil Hospital, reported that an additional fund estimate of Rs 4.77 crore has been requested to complete the project, with approval still pending from the government.

Former Minister Pathania expressed disappointment over the government’s inaction, calling the idle MCH building a “white elephant” and criticising the lack of effort to make it operational. With significant funds already spent, the local community is increasingly frustrated by the government’s failure to activate the hospital, leaving them without essential maternal and newborn care.