Photo for representational purpose only

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 23

The ex-servicemen (ESM) body at Baldwara, under the Sarkaghat Assembly segment of Mandi district, is urging the district health authorities to open a Covid care centre at Jahu, which is located in the centre of Mandi, Bilaspur and Hamirpur.

Capt Jagdish Verma (retired), president of the ESM body, said, “More than 5,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents reside in Baldwara sub-division. In view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the region, patients are transferred to the hopital at Nerchowk in Mandi, which is more than 50 km away from here. It takes a lot of time for the ambulance to come from Nerchowk and travel back.”

“We are urging the district health authorities to create a Covid centre in Jahu to cater to the medical needs of the area during the pandemic and save the time wasted in travel,” he said.

He said it would be a boon for local residents of Baldwara, Sarkaghat, Dharampur, Ghumarwin and Bhoranj. Verma stated a government building with about 45 rooms meant for “vegetable market” was lying vacant in Jahu and it could be used for the Covid hospital on a temporary basis.

“We have already sent a proposal through email to the Chief Medical Officers of Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Mandi for opening a Covid hospital in Jahu, keeping in view the surge in the second wave,” he said.