'Public services neglected': CJP's new campaign to check facilities at public hospitals

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has launched a new campaign aimed at evaluating the state of public hospitals in Maharashtra, alleging widespread neglect of essential healthcare services. The initiative, announced by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke during a visit to his home village in Hingoli district, comes amid growing concerns over the quality of government-run medical facilities. Dipke described scenes of patients waiting for weeks for critical procedures such as CT scans and enduring overcrowded conditions, stating that these problems reflect systemic failures in public service delivery. This campaign marks the latest effort by the CJP to hold authorities accountable for the maintenance and functionality of public institutions, following the successful rollout of its earlier “School Thik Karo” initiative focused on government schools. The CJP's hospital inspection drive is part of a broader strategy to scrutinize public welfare infrastructure across Maharashtra. The party's previous campaign, “School Thik Karo,” involved gathering data on the availability of basic amenities in government schools, including drinking water, sanitation, seating, and building structures. During this campaign, Dipke criticized successive governments for failing to provide adequate resources to public educational institutions despite years of investment. He emphasized that neglect of such facilities disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, particularly children and low-income families. Now, the CJP aims to apply similar scrutiny to healthcare systems, focusing on issues like overcrowding, delayed treatments, and insufficient infrastructure in government hospitals. In the tribal areas of Kerala, the lack of basic infrastructure has led to extreme difficulties in accessing medical care. Recently, residents of Edamalakkudy panchayat were forced to transport a 50-year-old woman named Poomani on a makeshift bamboo stretcher over 5 kilometers to reach the Societykudy hospital. Poomani had been suffering from a fever for several days, and her condition worsened on Friday, prompting the community to organize a manual transfer. Local residents used a bamboo structure as a stretcher, covered her with a plastic sheet to protect against the rain, and navigated through dense forests to deliver her to the hospital. The journey required crossing the Manaliyar River using a temporary bamboo bridge, highlighting the absence of permanent infrastructure in the region. This situation is not unique to Poomani. Earlier in the week, a 75-year-old man named Malayappan from Koodallarkudy had to be carried on a similar stretcher for approximately 10 kilometers through dense forest to reach the Mankulam hospital. His condition had deteriorated, necessitating immediate medical attention. After the incident, Tribal Affairs Minister K.A. Thulasi requested an urgent report from the Adimaly tribal development officer regarding the circumstances surrounding Malayappan's transport. These incidents underscore the recurring challenges faced by tribal communities in accessing timely and appropriate medical care due to inadequate transportation networks and infrastructure. Residents of Edamalakkudy panchayat have recounted numerous instances where the lack of roads and other essential infrastructure has hindered emergency medical responses. In August 2025, a five-year-old boy named Karthik suffered from a severe fever, requiring his family to carry him on a stretcher through the forest to Mankulam hospital. Unfortunately, Karthik did not survive the journey. The following day, his family had to return with his coffin on foot. In September 2025, Karthik's grandmother, Rajakanni, also fell ill with a high fever and had to be transported to Mankulam on a bamboo stretcher. Despite the challenging conditions, she survived the trip. These stories illustrate the ongoing struggle of tribal populations in accessing reliable healthcare services due to the absence of necessary infrastructure. The CJP's campaign and the experiences of individuals like Poomani and Malayappan highlight the urgent need for improved public services and infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. As the party intensifies its efforts to bring attention to these issues, it is anticipated that more detailed reports will emerge, potentially influencing policy decisions and resource allocation towards enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality for all segments of society.