Protest Erupts in Thanna Mandi Over Alleged Health Department Negligence Traffic Movement Disrupted for Nearly an Hour at Gazali Chowk

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

RAJOURI, SEPT 03:– People from different sections of Thanna Mandi, including leaders of political and non-political organisations, staged a protest at Gazali Chowk on Wednesday, raising serious concerns over the functioning of the health department and alleged deficiencies at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Thanna Mandi.

The protest resulted in the disruption of traffic movement at Gazali Chowk for nearly an hour, as protesters demanded immediate action from the concerned authorities.

The protesters alleged that the recent death of late Shoket Ahmed Shawl, a well-known social activist and reputed contractor, was linked to alleged negligence, lack of adequate medical staff and poor healthcare infrastructure at the PHC.

“This was not merely a death; it was a murder by the concerned department,” protesters alleged, demanding a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The protesters further alleged that the nearly five-decade-old health facility continues to function without essential diagnostic services. They claimed that there is no functional laboratory, ECG facility or X-ray machine, while adequate medical staff and permanent doctors are also allegedly unavailable.

They questioned how residents of Thanna Mandi can receive timely emergency and diagnostic care in the absence of basic medical infrastructure and sufficient manpower.

The protesters raised slogans against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Rajouri, the Health Minister and the District Administration, demanding accountability and immediate measures to strengthen healthcare facilities at PHC Thanna Mandi.

The protesters warned that if their demands are not addressed promptly, they may intensify their agitation in the coming days.

They demanded that the authorities conduct an impartial inquiry into the allegations and ensure adequate doctors, paramedical staff, diagnostic facilities and other essential infrastructure at the PHC to prevent such incidents in the future.