Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Mar 4: There is a village in the taluk where people when they become sick, have to seek medical help from far away places. If they need emergency healthcare, that is not available. There are no buses too.

This is the situation in Eedu village. A health sub-centre had been opened to help the villagers but after serving for some time, the centre was closed down., forcing people to travel far to get treatment even for ordinary ailments.

The government had spent lacs of rupees to provide good building equipment and other services. But because of neglect shown by the health department, the centre closed down and for the last four years, its doors have not been opened. Now, the building has become a residence for rodents and the building is surrounded by bushes,plants and weeds.

Now, people have to go to Hosmar, 5 km away for emergency treatment. If they do not get help there, then they have to go to Bajagoli, 17 km away or taluk hospital that is 27 km away.

Eedu, which is labelled as a naxal-infested village, does not have buses. The people are dependent on rented vehicles. In many cases, patients are physically carried till a vehicle is available.

The villagers, facing umpteen problems because of the non-availability of healthcare, have decided to write to the health minister and the Prime Minister about their plight. Dr Krishnanada Shetty, taluk health officer, says that effort will be made to see that the sub-centre starts serving the people again