The women inmates of Nari Niketan admitted in the Doon hospital here have become the bone of contention between the hospital authorities and the Social welfare department with both trying to get rid of these unfortunate women. However, both hospital administration and the social welfare department officially claim that there is no such running away from the responsibilities and they are helping each other in the sensitive case.
The pathetic living conditions at the Nari Niketan located in the Kedarpuram area of Dehradun caused deterioration in health of some inmates. The issue came to limelight when two such inmates died. The Nari Niketan had admitted 12 such women in last two months. Sources informed this correspondent that the hospital authorities wanted to send them back after their treatment, but the officials of the social welfare department wanted to keep them in hospital as they claimed that the Niketan is overcrowded. Some of these women have to be readmitted to hospital as they were not cared properly after their discharge from the hospital. The pathetic living conditions in the Nari Niketan were also exposed in a survey conducted by a social organization (Empower Women) and taking cognizance on its report, the Human Rights commission issued a show cause notice to the Principal Secretary and the Director of Social welfare department. These officials have been asked to reply on the living conditions of inmates of Nari Niketan in six weeks by the commission.
The Principal Superin-tendent of Doon hospital Dr RS Aswal told The Pioneer that a separate ward was provided for proper treatment of the these inmates. He said that most of these women were having some mental problems and they need to be looked after well after their discharge from the hospital. Aswal said that three women named Ansoli, Heena and Sangeeta were discharged on February 20 and now only two Nari Niketan inmates Dutti and Sukhia are in hospital.
Senior Physician of Doon hospital Dr PC Pant who is treating these inmates told The Pioneer that some of these women have some mental problem due to which they can not take care of themselves so they fell ill easily. He said that he has called three of the recently discharged inmates next week for re check-up. Interestingly, the district administration has deployed four women constables to keep an eye on these two women patients in the ward. District Social Welfare officer Ramavtar told The Pioneer that all the women inmates of Nari Niketan are very well taken care off. He said that the Nari Niketan has 91 inmates and the mental health of 70 inmates is not good.