Public infra can’t be held hostage to political egos

Approximately 200 tuberculosis patients sought their DOTs treatment at this centre. Representation pic

After a year-long renovation of a health post cum dispensary in Govandi, it remains shut due to a lack of funds to procure a fire compliance licence. The health facility was supposed to reopen last month.

Situated closer to the Deonar dumping ground, approximately 200 tuberculosis patients sought their DOTs treatment at this centre. After its closure, the dispensary and the health post staff had shifted to a different location, just about a kilometre away. In a report in this paper, a person in charge claimed there is a political twist to the issue, as a former corporator or an MLA wants to inaugurate this centre.

A doctor though said the fire compliance is pending due to a fund crunch. It will open soon. It is important that this health outpost re-opens for the public. If inauguration is the reason, this should be dealt with very quickly, in fact, treated as a non-issue and the facility opened with whoever is available.

It is unacceptable that public infra lies shut because a suitable person, translated in political parlance, somebody from a particular political party is unavailable to throw it open.

This applies to other infra too, including the times this paper has highlighted how amenities like toilet blocks or gardens remain closed, awaiting the important person and supposedly only person who can inaugurate this. If there is a fire compliance fund crunch, then, it is vital funds are got, as fire compliance is necessary and the health facility too is a huge asset.

We should work towards more well-staffed, safe health amenities in areas. This is for the public good and can certainly alleviate problems for those struggling to pay medical bills.