MANDI: Jaundice outbreak in Joginder Nagar in the district, has tragically claimed the lives of three youths, including a young girl, over the past few days.
This alarming situation has failed to wake up the state's health Directorate of National Health Mission officials.
Hospital lacks doctors, nurses and equipment as there is no vayastha parivartan here under Dr Dhani Ram Shandil health Minister for the last over 18 months resented the patients.
The outbreak has also raise questions about the supply of water in the villages by the Jal Shakti Vibhag which is responsible for supplying clean drinking water.
In response CPM district secretary, Kushal Bhardwaj, along with local committee secretary Ravinder Kumar and other members Sanjay Jamwal, Sudarshan Walia, and Kehar Singh, attended the meeting and expressed sorrow over the deaths. They observed a minute's silence in memory of the deceased.
Kushal Bhardwaj criticized the state for its poor healthcare services, holding them responsible for these deaths.
He warned that more tragic news could follow if the government doesn’t take immediate action.
Despite previous warnings and several jaundice cases being admitted to the hospital, there were no substantial measures taken.
Bhardwaj demanded immediate deployment of at least two doctors and three nurses from other hospitals to Joginder Nagar hospital, along with additional beds.
He also called for water source and storage tank samples from all areas of Joginder Nagar to be tested.
He emphasized the need for the government to ensure the availability of clean drinking water by increasing the staff.
Bhardwaj also proposed forming a high-level committee to investigate the real causes of the jaundice outbreak.
Meanwhile, he criticized local politicians for using the situation for publicity stunts, distributing fruits and mineral water bottles in front of cameras instead of addressing the root issues.
The CPI(M) leaders also pointed out the long-standing issues in the local healthcare system.
For instance, the Joginder Nagar hospital has been without an ultrasound machine operator for 17 years, despite the machine rusting away.
Four different governments have come and gone, but none have addressed this.
They demanded the appointment of specialist doctors and availability of all types of tests at the Joginder Nagar hospital.
They called for filling the vacant positions at Chountara and Langna PHCs and providing an ambulance service in Langna and Makridi.
Ravinder Kumar, the local committee secretary, stressed that the government should provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased youths and cover the treatment costs for those still hospitalized.
The CPI(M) warned that if these demands are not met, they will be forced to launch a public agitation.
