Bankura's health center abandoned, no doctors for over a year, now haven for criminals

Gunath Primary Health Center, situated in the Indpur Block of Bankura, has deteriorated significantly, now standing as an abandoned facility after a long period without medical staff. The health center, which once served as a crucial healthcare resource for nearby villages, is now in a state of neglect, with no doctors for over a year. The hospital building remains intact but is increasingly run-down, with extensive damage to its infrastructure. The quarters, originally designated for medical staff, have been repurposed for non-medical uses, including storage for crops and as cow sheds.

Once a reliable medical hub, the hospital is now an area where anti-social elements gather. The hospital grounds are littered with plastic glasses and leftover liquor bottles, while snack packets such as chips and nuts are scattered about. In addition, the vicinity is overrun by livestock, with cows and goats grazing freely and chickens pecking around, further contributing to the abandonment of the facility.

The hospital, which had a modest number of beds, was equipped to provide both outpatient and inpatient services, and it even conducted minor surgeries. It served patients from Gunath and several surrounding villages. However, the hospital’s decline began after the only doctor posted there left for higher education, and no replacement was assigned. This lack of medical staff has led to the hospital’s reduced capacity, and local residents now have to travel 12 kilometers to reach the Indpur Block Primary Health Center for even basic medical services.

While a pharmacist and a health worker occasionally open the outdoor clinic at Gunath Primary Health Center, they are not authorized or equipped to provide essential medical treatments. Furthermore, the lack of maintenance has left the building in a state of disrepair, with windows and doors from the staff quarters stolen due to neglect. The absence of proper security and upkeep has left the premises vulnerable to further damage and misuse.

The lack of functioning healthcare at Gunath has raised concerns regarding the state of rural healthcare in Bankura. Local government officials have been alerted to the worsening conditions at the hospital. Previously, the facility had provided healthcare services to patients from around 10-12 surrounding villages. With no doctor available, and minimal services being offered, villagers are now forced to seek medical treatment at facilities much farther away. Although the state health department has acknowledged the situation, including efforts to assign a new doctor to the hospital, the future of the Gunath Primary Health Center remains uncertain.