Nilambur: The government tribal mobile dispensary operated by the Health Department in Nilambur, Malappuram, ceased functioning a month ago, affecting the medical treatment of tribal people residing in remote settlements.

The dispensary stopped operating after the vehicle used to reach the far-flung areas where tribal people live was sold by the government without providing an alternative. The vehicle, a 15-year-old jeep, was sold for ₹3.54 lakh on August 13 this year, based on a government order.

The lack of a vehicle now prevents the doctor and other staff attached to the mobile dispensary from travelling to places such as Manjeeri, Punchakolli and Alakkal Nagar, which are located deep inside the forest areas of Karulayi, Vazhikadavu, Pothukallu and Moothedam panchayats, depriving the residents of medical care.

Similarly, as the government dispensaries in Nilambur municipality and Odakkayam Nagar in Eranad Assembly constituency are also covered by the tribal mobile dispensary, patients approaching these healthcare centres receive no treatment.

The situation has forced members of the ancient Cholanaykkar tribe residing in Manjeeri to travel around 20 km to the nearest treatment facility, the family health centre at Karulayi, which costs about ₹2,000 to hire a jeep. Residents of other tribal settlements such as Alakkal are facing a similar predicament.

Following the sale of the sole jeep attached to the mobile dispensary, the doctor, pharmacist and grade-2 employee working at the facility have had nothing to do for the past month. While the post of nursing assistant is currently vacant, the authorities have temporarily transferred the driver to the ambulance under the District Hospital.

Incidentally, the mobile dispensary had long been functioning under severe duress. Inordinate delays in sanctioning funds by the government had compelled the doctor to pay the fuel bills for the vehicle, and he is still waiting for a large reimbursement in this regard. Health workers in the region have sought immediate measures to hire a jeep to restart the mobile dispensary in order to prevent a major health crisis.