The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has put forward a proposal to the state government for the establishment of a primary health centre in Sandakphu, following increasing safety concerns for both locals and tourists in the region.
This move comes after the tragic death of a young girl from Dum Dum, who was found unconscious and bleeding from her nose at a homestay in Tumling. Despite being rushed to a health centre in Sukhiapokhri, 26 km away, she died two hours later on the way to another hospital.
The incident marks the third such death in the region this year, once again highlighting the critical shortage of medical infrastructure in the popular tourist area located on the Indo-Nepal border.
“We submitted a proposal to the state government, requesting land for the establishment of a primary health centre in Sandakphu,” said Rajesh Chauhan, Deputy Chairman of GTA and Health In-charge of the Darjeeling subdivision.
“The health department will also provide first-aid training to all homestay owners in the area within this month, aiming to equip locals with basic medical knowledge to address emergencies and provide immediate assistance to visitors in need,” Chauhan added.
In addition to the health centre proposal, the GTA has also drafted plans to introduce a mandatory fitness certificate for visitors to Sandakphu and Phalut, set to come into effect from January.
Sandakphu, renowned for its panoramic views of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga, draws trekkers from all over the world.
However, despite its popularity, the region lacks basic medical facilities, with not even a single medicine store available to cater to the needs of the thousands who visit annually.
At an elevation of 11,941 feet, the area relies heavily on traditional medicine and the expertise of local healers.
“We do keep a stock of basic medicines, but we follow ancient practices such as the use of medicinal plants found in the region to treat many diseases,” said Nila Gurung, a homestay owner in Tumling, situated about 11 km from Maneybhanjang.
“In case of any injury, the patient has to be taken to the Sukhiapokhari block primary health centre, which is around 26 km away and takes an hour and a half to reach,” he added.
Many locals also rely on tourists to help with basic medical needs. “There are times when we face difficulties in obtaining essential medicines. When this happens, we ask the tourists, and they assist us,” shared another homestay owner.
“Some tourists, when they leave, even give us medicines and write down the names of the medicines and their uses on a piece of paper,” he asserted.
The proposal by the GTA aims to address the growing concerns of inadequate healthcare in the region and the safety of both locals and tourists, with officials hoping to see a swift response from the state government to improve the situation.
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