Deogarh, Dec 17: In a bold protest on Wednesday, the Deogarh Women’s Unity Forum called for a bandh in the region, demanding round-the-clock healthcare services at the old hospital premises. Members of the Deogarh Youth Unity Forum and the Women’s Unity Forum took to the streets in various parts of the city to show their support for the cause.

Previously, during a sit-in protest in front of the old district hospital, the forum had made multiple demands for improved healthcare services. However, as there was no resolution to their issues, the Women’s Unity Forum escalated their action by calling for a city-wide bandh.

Shops, markets, schools, colleges, banks, and both government and private offices remained closed throughout the day. Bus services were suspended, and commercial activity came to a standstill.

Currently, the old hospital only has one doctor available in the morning and for two hours in the afternoon, which the citizens argue is insufficient for the growing population's needs.

Various organizations have voiced their support for the protest, rallying behind the Women’s Unity Forum. The forum had previously attempted to highlight these issues through petitions and earlier protests, but with no significant response from the authorities, they have now resorted to a continuous protest in front of the old hospital.

With their latest move, the forum has warned of expanding the protest further unless their demands are met, calling for a permanent solution to the healthcare crisis in the region.