Over absence of paediatrician AJYCP stages hunger strike

Guwahati: The Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) Margherita Regional Committee commenced a 31-hour hunger strike at North Margherita Rangamancha on Thursday, demanding the appointment of a paediatrician at Margherita Civil Hospital.

The protest comes in response to the long-standing issue of the hospital’s failure to provide a permanent paediatrician, despite the large population in the region.

Bimal Singh, president of AJYCP Margherita, expressed concern over the lack of medical care for children in the area. “With over 360,000 people living in the Margherita Constituency, including more than 1,000 patients visiting the Civil Hospital daily, it’s shocking that no paediatrician has been appointed,” he said. Singh also mentioned that multiple memorandums have been submitted to the Margherita Co-District Commissioner and MLA Bhaskar Sharma, but no action has been taken.

Kanchan Borah, general secretary of AJYCP Tinsukia district, criticised the incompetence of local officials, including Co-District Commissioner Parikshit Thoudam and MLA Bhaskar Sharma.

“Due to their failure, patients with child-related health issues are forced to travel to distant hospitals in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, or even outside the state,” Borah said.

The protestors also raised concerns about a possible link between local government officials and private hospitals in the area, noting that paediatricians are available at private clinics but not at government-run healthcare facilities like Margherita Civil Hospital, Ledo Mini Public Health Centre, and others.

AJYCP leaders warned that if the issue is not resolved promptly, they will intensify their protests in the region. A memorandum will also be submitted to the Margherita Co-District Commissioner, urging immediate action on the matter.