Pangi residents seek revival of ailing healthcare services
As winter approaches, residents of the tribal Pangi subdivision in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district are calling for urgent intervention of the authorities to address critical gaps in healthcare services. The remote valley, which faces isolation during heavy snowfall, is grappling with severe staff shortages that compromise the functioning of its healthcare facilities, leaving residents vulnerable during the most challenging season.
Pangi’s largest healthcare institution, Civil Hospital, Killar, is operating with only half of its sanctioned workforce. Of the 70 approved posts, 35 remain unfilled, including seven out of 12 medical officer posts. This shortage extends to essential specialists in gynaecology, medicine and anaesthesia, who are needed for comprehensive patient care. General Surgeon Vishal Sharma, the sole specialist at the hospital, often has to take on multiple roles in emergency situations due to the absence of other qualified personnel. Compounding the issue, key administrative positions such as Superintendent Grade-II have remained vacant for over three years, further hindering efficient hospital operations.
Key concerns
- Severe staffing shortages (35/70 posts vacant)
- Lack of specialists (gynecology, medicine, anesthesia)
- Administrative vacancies (Superintendent Grade-II)
- Non-functional Primary Health Centres and Winter Health Outposts
Consequences
- Compromised healthcare during winter isolation
- Increased health risks due to inaccessibility
- Decades-long neglect of the region
Solution
- Fill vacant positions immediately
- Hire local candidates as temporary measure
- Prioritise community health needs
- Expedite hiring process
Trilok Thakur, president of the Pangwal Ekta Manch, a local advocacy group, expressed frustration with the healthcare crisis. “We appreciate the new hospital facility, but without adequate staff, it serves little purpose. The government must prioritise filling these vacant positions with immediate effect,” he said.
Thakur also highlighted the severe staffing shortfalls at the region’s four Primary Health Centres in Dharwas, Sach, Sechunala and Purthi, where 11 of the 19 positions remain vacant. Only one of the four permanent Winter Health Outposts in the valley, located at Hillour, is currently operational due to staff shortages, and nine of the 16 health sub-centres are also non-functional for the same reason.
Local leader Duni Thakur emphasised that the community’s health needs must take precedence in government planning, particularly given the isolation that winter snow brings. Community members worry that inadequate healthcare access during this period could exacerbate health crises in the valley, with people unable to travel to other facilities due to snow-blocked roads.
Ajit Rana, another community leader, criticised the historical neglect of the Pangi region. “We’ve been overlooked for decades. While we have the infrastructure, without trained personnel it remains ineffective. The government needs to recognise the urgency and take immediate action,” he said, calling for the filling of vacant positions as a top priority.
Social worker Arjun Chauhan offered a practical solution: hiring local candidates as a temporary measure until permanent staff can be recruited. “This approach would not only offer immediate relief but also empower the local community,” he said, urging the government to expedite the hiring process and consider local representation in healthcare roles.
The Pangwal Ekta Manch has formally appealed to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for intervention to ensure healthcare needs are met before winter fully sets in, highlighting the need for quick action to prevent further hardship. “For decades, Pangi has been overlooked in terms of healthcare. We have the infrastructure, but it remains useless without trained personnel. The government must act now, he said.
“Our health centres are functioning with skeletal staff and many are completely non-operational. It’s time the government recognises the urgency of our situation and fills these vacancies.”
Social worker Arjun Chauhan emphasised the need for local solutions. “We suggest that the government considers local candidates for these positions as a stopgap measure until permanent staff can be appointed. This will not only empower the local community but also provide immediate relief.” He urged the government to speed up the hiring process and ensure local representation in healthcare roles.
Meanwhile, the Pangwal Ekta Manch has formally requested the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh to intervene and ensure that their healthcare needs are met before the grand opening.
