NHRC notice on non-deployment of health workers in Chamba

National Human Rights Commission today issued notices to authorities in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh over "non-deployment" of health workers in the area which was allegedly leading to death of pregnant women and newborns.
According to a statement released by NHRC today, reports in this regard have been sought from the District Magistrate and the Chief Medical Officer of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. The rights panel has given them four weeks' time to respond.
The notices were issued after the Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that the benefits of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) are not reaching the remote areas of the district.

"Health workers have not been deployed in the 20 Health Centres in the district leading to deaths of pregnant women and newborn children. Lack of awareness about the healthcare and related schemes is also adding up the gravity of the situation," the statement said.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human right to life.