Before the start of the Char Dham Yatra, the State government had claimed that the condition of the government hospital at Joshimath - the main halt en route to Badrinath and Hemkund, would be improved.
However, these claims now appear to be hollow. The government hospital in Joshimath is the sole government hospital in this border region which is visited by people from different parts of this region for medical treatment. However, due to dearth of proper facilities at this hospital many people are forced to visit private hospitals which are expensive compared to the government hospital.
The ultrasound machine at the government hospital is out of working order which is causing major inconvenience to the patients. With many medicines not available at the hospital dispensary, the people are forced to purchase costly medicines from private chemists' shops.
The authorities had held a meeting prior to the start of the Char Dham Yatra. The meeting was aimed at improving the facilities at the government hospital but the measures discussed for achieving this have not yet been implemented. Apart from providing a vital facility for people living in this mountainous region, this government hospital is also important considering the movement of tourists and pilgrims through Joshimath. However, due to lack of proper facilities at this hospital, those in need of medical attention are forced to visit government hospitals either in Dehradun or Srinagar, or visit private hospitals.
Those from economically weaker sections of society are unable to travel out of Joshimath or visit private hospitals for treatment. The locals complain that the ultrasound machine here has been out of working order for quite some time now but the hospital management has not got it repaired yet.The hospital also continues to face shortage of various important medicines. In absence of necessary facilities, the government hospital in Joshimath has been transformed into a referral centre.