A health sub-centre (or wellness centre) built in the village of Rongchonggre in South Garo Hills was abandoned 17 years ago and was never utilised, leading to a waste of public funds.
Self-described social activist Clinton Marak informed the media yesterday that he had visited the village where he was told by villagers that the building was completed in 2008 but has lain abandoned since, having never been opened.
“This is unacceptable and a disservice to the residents, who rely on such facilities for their basic health necessity and well-being,” Marak said.
Local leaders and health officials had been informed about the state of the building but nothing has been done, he added. The sub-centre serves 30-plus villages. Instead of operating from this building that was built for the purpose, the sub-centre uses a community hall and primary school building to store medicine, equipment and to act as Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) quarters. This, Marak said, is against Indian Public Health Standards.