Residents of a remote village in Uttarkashi district are being compelled to undertake arduous journeys into a neighbouring state for basic medical treatment, highlighting a critical failure in local healthcare infrastructure. The plight of Arakot village, located in the Mori block bordering Himachal Pradesh, was brought to the fore during a multi-purpose camp held on Saturday.
A Non-Functional Health Centre
Despite the presence of a primary health centre (PHC) in the area, the facility remains largely defunct. A severe shortage of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists has rendered it incapable of serving the local population. This systemic failure forces villagers to travel long distances to health centres in Himachal Pradesh for even the most routine medical needs.
Common ailments, prenatal check-ups for pregnant women, child immunisation drives, and emergency care all necessitate a cross-state journey. The situation turns minor health issues into major logistical ordeals for the residents of this border village.
Voices from the Ground: A Bear Attack Case Study
Village head Nirmala Rana presented a stark example of the crisis during the camp. She recounted a recent incident where a Nepali labourer working in her apple orchard was mauled by a bear. With no treatment facilities available in Mori or nearby Tyuni, the injured man had to be rushed to Himachal Pradesh for urgent medical attention.
"A person has to go to Rohru even for treatment of vomiting and diarrhoea," Rana emphasised, underlining the absurdity of the situation. The absence of medical staff at the PHC makes accessing basic healthcare locally an impossible task, she added.
Official Response and Camp Outcomes
The multi-purpose camp was attended by key district officials including District Magistrate Prashant Arya, District Panchayat President Ramesh Chauhan, and Block Head Randev Rana. The event served as a direct channel for villagers to voice their grievances.
A total of 133 written complaints were formally submitted by the residents, focusing primarily on the healthcare deficit. However, only 20 of these issues could be resolved on the spot, indicating the scale of the problem. Meanwhile, the revenue department utilised the camp to issue 10 caste certificates and 20 permanent residence certificates.
Other officials present at the event included Sub-Divisional Magistrate Purola Mukesh Chand Ramola, Junior Deputy Head Kamlesh Rawat, District Project Director Ajay Singh, Chief Veterinary Officer HS Bisht, Chief Agricultural Officer SS Verma, Arakot Nyaya Panchayat Nodal Officer Yogendra Singh, and Block Development Officer Mori Shashibhushan Binjola.
The camp has successfully documented the acute healthcare access crisis in Arakot, putting the onus on the administration to find a permanent solution. The continued reliance on another state for medical treatment underscores the urgent need to staff and operationalise the local primary health centre, a basic right for residents in this remote part of Uttarakhand.
