News Desk, Kolkata : In the heart of Buniaadpur, a town in South Dinajpur, a foundation of well-being thrives without the presence of a doctor. The Buniaadpur City Health Center has been serving the residents with health services for eight years since the formation of the municipality. Interestingly, the center has been operating solely with the dedicated efforts of a nurse, Nilamoni, who has become the backbone of healthcare in the region.
The center, inaugurated on June 13, 2023, within the premises of the old municipality building, initially started its services with one doctor and two nurses. However, within four months, one nurse and the doctor were transferred elsewhere. Since November, the center has been running with just one nurse, Mrunalini Hemram. Despite the challenges, she manages to provide healthcare services, including prescribing medication, measuring blood pressure, and understanding patients’ ailments.
What sets Nurse Mrunalini apart is her daily journey of 110 kilometers to reach Buniaadpur from Piratala, the central hub of the town. From the beginning, the health center at Piratala has been the lifeline for the city’s residents, dealing with as many patients as the pressure on a city’s core.
Initially, the center attended to as many as 50 to 80 patients daily, and even now, Mrunalini continues to cater to around 50 to 80 patients daily. The old patients, familiar with the prescription routine, face no issues in receiving repeat medications. However, the challenge arises when new patients with ailments like fever, cold, cough, cuts, or injuries seek assistance.
The rest of the residents, living about 4 kilometers away, must travel to Rashidpur Rural Hospital for health services. A recent development includes a job posting for doctors and nurses for the health center. Although several nurses have submitted applications, no doctor has applied for the position, indicating a continuing struggle to secure medical professionals for the facility.
Nurse Mrunalini shares her perspective, “There used to be a female doctor, but she was transferred. Another nurse has also moved to the hospital. New recruitment hasn’t happened yet. The old patients still come. I provide medication based on the prescription. For new patients with symptoms like cold, cough, and fever, I provide medications. For any major illnesses, I refer them to the hospital.”
Dr. Sudip Das, the Chief Medical Officer of the district, acknowledges the persistent efforts to secure a doctor for the health center. “We had a doctor before. I hired one. We’ve issued notifications, but we haven’t been able to find a doctor yet. We are making relentless efforts.”
Despite the challenges, Nurse Mrunalini continues her journey, traversing the long distance daily to offer her services in Buniaadpur. The health center remains a vital resource for the residents, addressing their health needs with dedication and perseverance. The community hopes for a positive change, aspiring to see the health center fully staffed to provide comprehensive healthcare services to the people of Buniaadpur.
DISCLAIMER
Our news media denounces any form of bias and disapproves of sensationalism. The disseminated news is entirely educational and aimed at social awareness. Our media maintains absolute impartiality, adhering solely to the purpose of education and social consciousness.
