Khliehriat: A joint inspection was carried out on Thursday at Civil Hospital, Khliehriat, following serious public complaints over sanitation failures that have turned the hospital into a health hazard for nearby residents.
The inspection was led by Symboh Baiar Sumer, General Secretary of the Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) Khliehriat Circle, along with the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO), Dr. D. Shylla, and local shnong leaders of Dong Khlieh Wahshasem, Teibor Swer (Waheh Dong) and Mebanteilang Sukhlain (Secretary Dong) of Khliehriat West Village.
The inspection confirmed the gravity of the situation, with severely damaged drainage systems and leaking toilet tanks releasing foul smell into surrounding residential areas.
The persistent stench has made daily life unbearable for families in Khliehriat West Village, forcing residents to remain indoors, preventing children from playing outside, and creating serious risks of waterborne and airborne diseases.
The findings also exposed the long-standing neglect by the hospital administration in addressing the issue.
This action followed a formal complaint submitted by the JNC Khliehriat Circle to the DMHO, Dr. D. Shylla, demanding an immediate inspection, urgent repairs of the leaking sanitation infrastructure, and the introduction of a regular maintenance system to prevent recurrence.
The complaint was filed after repeated appeals by residents to the Medical Superintendent, Dr. A. Lakiang of Civil Hospital, Khliehriat, went unanswered, with no inspections, repairs, or official responses issued despite worsening conditions over time.
After the joint inspection, Dr. Shylla assured the Council and village representatives that he would personally direct the Medical Superintendent and the In-Charge of Civil Hospital, Khliehriat, to carry out necessary repairs without delay.
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The JNC and the shnong leaders of Khliehriat West Village stated that if corrective measures are not completed within a reasonable timeframe, they are prepared to escalate the matter through formal petitions to the higher authorities.
The villagers said that they have shown patience for far too long, and that patience has now reached its limit.
Calling the situation an institutional failure, the JNC urged health authorities to treat the matter as a public health emergency.
A government hospital that creates health risks for the very community it is meant to serve, the Council stated while demanding urgent accountability and action.
The people of Khliehriat West Village deserve a clean, safe, and healthy living environment — and they deserve it now, said Symboh Baiar Sumer, General Secretary, JNC Khliehriat Circle.
