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Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 16
Gynaecological problems and malnutrition among children in remote tribal areas are two major challenges in the state as the availability of doctors is limited and women shy away from going to male doctors.
These problems came to light when a joint mountaineering expedition of the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) visited the remote tribal Jispa and Sissu villages in Lahaul to create awareness on hygiene and spread the message of Swachh Bharat and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. They also organised health camps and held interactive sessions with villagers, especially teenage girls.
"There are dispensaries in the areas but doctors are not willing to come to remote areas. Female doctors are totally absent, adding to the problems of women suffering from gynaecological problems. Conservative tribal women are not comfortable with male doctors examining them,” said Capt Sonali (medical officer), who was part of the team.
The team suggested that adequate number of doctors, including female doctors, be made available in these villages to ensure that women and children did not suffer due to lack of medical facilities. They also suggested that arrangements should be made for the evacuation of people of these villages during winter when the areas remain snowbound for about six months.
Further, the team said awareness about menstruation hygiene was very low among women of the villages.
The 18-member team, comprising eight ITBP personnel led by Assistant Commandant Karan and 10 of the Army led by Lieutenant GS Sidhu, said it were happy to see the Chandratal lake clean due to the efforts of the Forest Department. On the other hand, the members said it was disheartening to see plastic waste dumped at Baralacha. The team cleaned the area.
The team started its expedition on September 2 from Poo in Kinnaur and trekked to Chandratal and Baralacha. From there, they cycled their way to Rohtang, Manali and Kullu.
Members clean Baralacha
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