Report by Swati
HALDUCHAUR, Uttarakhand, Aug. 6. A three-day multi-specialty health camp at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Halduchaur not only brought specialist medical services closer to residents but also became a platform for raising long-standing concerns over the hospital’s inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Led by retired principal and senior social activist Govind Ballabh Bhatt, local residents submitted a 10-point memorandum to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Nainital, highlighting persistent deficiencies at the hospital and demanding permanent improvements rather than temporary medical camps.
The memorandum called for the regular deployment of specialist doctors, full-scale maternity services, ultrasound and advanced laboratory facilities, recruitment of outsourced staff, appointment of an ambulance driver, and an end to unnecessary transfers of doctors and healthcare workers. Residents emphasized that Halduchaur CHC should be strengthened with permanent medical infrastructure to ensure year-round quality healthcare.
Another key demand was the removal of politically branded foundation stones from the hospital premises. Residents argued that the hospital belongs to the public and should remain free from political identity.
The memorandum also raised concerns over medical equipment worth nearly ₹80 lakh provided by Power Grid Corporation. Residents questioned why the equipment was lying unused and urged authorities either to put it into service at Halduchaur CHC or transfer it to other healthcare facilities where it could benefit patients.
During the meeting, Nainital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rashmi Pant assured residents that efforts would be made to retain pediatric specialist Dr. Sudhir Kumar Kanyal at Halduchaur CHC for the time being. The assurance was welcomed by local representatives, who described it as a positive step for the region.
The health camp was inaugurated by MLA Dr. Mohan Singh Bisht and CMO Dr. Rashmi Pant under the Uttarakhand government’s “Seva, Sushasan aur Samarpan” campaign.
The camp offers a wide range of healthcare services under one roof, including general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, dental care, AYUSH, mental health services, tuberculosis screening, non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, X-ray, ECG, Ayushman Bharat services, and ABHA ID registration.
On the first day, 267 patients were registered. Health officials conducted blood pressure and blood sugar tests for 155 people, TB screening for 267, 104 X-rays, 83 hemoglobin, liver function (LFT), and renal function (RFT) tests, while 136 ABHA IDs were generated.Residents appreciated the initiative but stressed that Halduchaur CHC requires specialist healthcare services throughout the year, not just during a three-day camp. They said the true success of the initiative would depend on how quickly the authorities implement the demands outlined in the memorandum.
