Crowd of people gathered in the market on Friday.
The ongoing ‘Operation Swasthya’ demanding improvement of health facilities in Uttarakhand continues on its 24th day today. Meanwhile, a 26-member team of agitators has set out on foot from Chaukhutiya in Almora towards the capital Dehradun.
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On Friday, before the departure of the team, once again anger and resentment was visible in the eyes of the people on the streets of Chaukhutiya against the government and the health systems which have been in bad shape for years in the mountains. Thousands of people gathered in the march taken out in the market and slogans were raised against the government. Women also participated enthusiastically in this and requested the government to fulfill their demands soon.
The protesters demand that their agitation and gradual fast will continue until Chaukhutia Community Health Center (CHC) is provided with facilities as per the standards of a CHC.
People came out to demonstrate in the market.
Now read about this demonstration in a sequential manner…. 15 people started on Gandhi Jayanti
It was started by Bhuvan Kathait, who had retired from the army, from Ramganga Aarti Ghat located in Chaukhutiya, Almora, it was here that he first announced the fast unto death. At this time there were only 14 more people with Bhuvan.
This team named this demonstration Operation Swasthya. The very next day i.e. on 3rd October, 85 year old Bache Singh also announced to sit on a fast unto death along with Bhuvan Kathait.
This picture is of October 2 when Bhuvan Kathait had announced the fast.
Were angry with the poor condition of CHC
All these people were angry with the poor condition of Chaukhutia CHC. Their allegation was that there are doctors here but they are not specialists, whereas a CHC should have 4 specialist doctors. Besides, allegations were also made that there are no proper arrangements in the hospital due to which most of the patients from here are referred to Nainital or Almora.
Crowd gathered at the ghat, march in the market
Six days after the fast started, people were called to reach the spot and people arrived in large numbers, everyone from children to old people came to participate in the protest. During this time, a march was also taken out from the protest site to the market, this was the first march of this demonstration and for the first time so many people were seen in it.
This picture is of October 6 when people had come in large numbers in support of Bhuvan Kathait and Bache Singh who were fasting.
Police first took away Singh and then Kathait.
After this, on the night of 7 October, the administration picked up Singh, who had escaped from the protest site, and took him to the hospital. He was picked up from the protest site due to health reasons. During this time, Bache Singh was also seen trying hard with the policemen.
After this, the next day the administration team also took Bhuvan Kathait to the hospital due to health reasons and started treatment. When the police team arrived to take him, there was a lot of ruckus, during which three to four policemen tried to lift Kathait, however, later he was admitted to the hospital on his own will.
When the police was taking Kathait, he also kicked a policeman.
Protestors march in the market, videos go viral
Gradually more people started joining this demonstration. Marches started taking place in the markets and the crowd started increasing at the protest site. People started gathering in markets and intersections in protest with placards in their hands, demanding that all essential facilities be restored in Chaukhutia CHC. Videos filled with crowd and anger started going viral on social media.
During the demonstration, people raised anti-government slogans.
Now read what the protesters are demanding…
- Doctors and Medical Staff: The CHC should have at least one specialist in surgery, general, gynaecology/obstetrics and paediatrics, along with 7–10 nurses, 2 pharmacists, lab technicians and radiologists.
- Services and Facilities: The hospital has 24×7 OPD and emergency services, delivery and surgical facilities, neonatal care, 30 beds, oxygen, ambulance, lab tests and pharmacy.
- Equipment and Machinery: Fetal monitors, delivery beds, neonatal incubator, ECG, X-ray and ultrasound machines, with appropriate radiologists.
- Trained Staff: All equipment should be operated by trained staff.
The agitators say that their agitation will continue until these standards are fully implemented.
Government took action after 14 days
In view of the agitation and increasing anger, the government took action after 14 days, i.e. on 16 October. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced to upgrade the 30-bed Community Health Center (CHC) in Chaukhutia to a 50-bed Sub District Hospital (SDH). Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar issued orders that the hospital is being upgraded, digital X-ray machine will be installed and doctors will also be deployed.
File photo of Chaukhutia CHC.
Deployment of doctors and then anger
On October 16, two doctors, gynecologist Manju Rawat and pediatrician Renu Agnihotri, were ordered to go to Chaukhutiya. But for some reason both of them went on leave. Bhuvan Kathait, who is leading the movement, termed the government’s promises as hollow. Even after the government’s announcement, the protesters did not stop and remained adamant on their demand that the CHC should get all the facilities and financial approval should also be given for the upgradation of the CHC.
Two doctors arrived, welcomed in the office
Eight days later, i.e. last Friday, two doctors, pediatrician Pallavi Shah and gynecologist Hemlata, reached the hospital and were given a proper welcome in the office. Although both of them had not come here permanently, they had come here only for routine checkup.
Two doctors Chaukhutiya attached to Haldwani
After this, information came to light that two doctors of Almora District Hospital, a pediatrician and a gynecologist, have been attached to Chaukhutia CHC along with Manju and Rainu.
List of those 26 people who have left for Dehradun.
Padyatra towards Dehradun, agitation continues
Under the leadership of former soldier Bhuvan Kathait, a team of 26 people will reach Dehradun via Gairsain, Karnaprayag and Rudraprayag under “Chalo Dehradun”. This will take 12 to 15 days. The agitators say that after reaching Dehradun, they will gherao the Chief Minister’s residence so that their demands are addressed.
Agitation continues in Chaukhutiya also. Two people are on a fast unto death, while seven people are on a gradual fast.
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