GUWAHATI: The Margherita Regional Committee of the Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) began a 31-hour hunger strike on Thursday at North Margherita Rangamancha, demanding the appointment of a paediatrician at Margherita Civil Hospital. This protest highlights the ongoing issue of the hospital's lack of a permanent paediatrician.
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AJYCP Margherita President Bimal Singh expressed alarm over the gap in healthcare services for children. "With a constituency of over 360,000 people and more than 1,000 patients visiting the hospital daily, the absence of a paediatrician is deeply concerning," he stated, adding that the group has repeatedly submitted memorandums to local officials, including the Margherita Co-District Commissioner and MLA Bhaskar Sharma, yet no action has been taken.
Kanchan Borah, AJYCP Tinsukia District General Secretary, criticized local leaders, alleging incompetence on the part of Co-District Commissioner Parikshit Thoudam and MLA Sharma. "Their inaction forces families to travel to Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, or even outside the state for child-related medical issues," Borah said.
Protestors further raised concerns about possible connections between government officials and private hospitals, noting that paediatricians are readily available at private clinics but absent in government facilities like Margherita Civil Hospital and Ledo Mini Public Health Centre.
AJYCP leaders warned that if no steps are taken, they will escalate their protests. A memorandum will also be submitted to the Margherita Co-District Commissioner, urging immediate action to address the issue.
