Marayoor: Patients arriving at the Marayoor Block Family Health Centre are facing severe hardships due to the absence of doctors. This centre is a crucial lifeline for over 50,000 people from the Marayoor, Kanthalloor, and Munnar panchayats.

Plantation workers and tribal communities in the area also depend heavily on the services provided by the centre. However, due to a chronic shortage of doctors and staff, patients are increasingly being forced to seek costly treatment at private hospitals.

On most days, only a single doctor is available at the centre — and only between 9am and 2pm. After that, the hospital shuts down for the day. Although the facility has beds, the in-patient wing remains non-functional due to staff shortages, according to hospital authorities.

Patients who arrive at the centre during the evening hours often find it closed and are left with no choice but to travel long distances to private hospitals in Adimaly, Kottayam, or even Coimbatore. This is causing immense financial strain on low-income families.

Local residents are demanding the urgent appointment of sufficient doctors and support staff, along with the immediate launch of in-patient services at the centre.

Congress stages protest
The Mandalam Youth Congress staged a sit-in protest against the ongoing shortage of doctors at the Marayoor Block Family Health Centre. The protest was led by Block Panchayat Member Vijay Kalidas, Marayoor Service Cooperative Bank member Arun Vijay, and Youth Congress Vice President Balamurukan. Marayoor Mandalam Congress President Muhammed Ismail, Marayoor Service Cooperative Bank President Ancy Antony, and Panchayat Vice President Jomon Thomas also took part in the protest.