No Government Hospitals in Greater Noida West

Greater Noida West, one of the fast-developing regions in Gautam Buddh district, Uttar Pradesh, is undergoing an acute healthcare crisis. The population has crossed 500,000, but still, there is no government hospital in this area. The people are left with no option other than depending on expensive private medical facilities for the simplest of treatments. It is such a condition when the lack of low-cost health infrastructure is continuously pressurizing the local population, and it will definitely go on increasing with an increase in the population.

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A Growing Concern

Greater Noida West is also known as Noida Extension, and it witnessed huge migrant populations in the recent past due to its affordable housing projects and proximity to Delhi. However, its population growth has not been matched with the corresponding public health infrastructure. The absence of any government hospitals has no choice but to turn these residents into private hospitals which have been charging exorbitant fees for basic medical services.

People like Rajesh Kumar, an autorickshaw driver in his mid-35s, are feeling the pinch. “Recently, I had to take my daughter to a private hospital since she was running a high fever. The consultation and basic medication cost me more than Rs. 3,000, which is a large share of my monthly income. Had there been a government hospital here, the cost would have been a fraction of this,” he rued.

Personal Struggles Amidst a Healthcare Desert

Seema Singh, a 42-year-old schoolteacher, narrated her ordeal: “My husband met with a minor accident and needed stitches. The private hospital billed us Rs. 7,000 for what should have been a simple procedure. We cannot afford health insurance, and these unplanned expenses are draining our savings.”

Ineffectiveness in the government sector healthcare system is not only costing financially to the families but also jeopardizing their well-being. Other challenges were highlighted by 60-year-old Asha Devi, who pointed out the situation of the elderly. “I have high blood pressure and am a diabetic. I need to get regular checkups, and pop medication regularly. With private healthcare costing an arm and a leg these days, it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to manage my conditions properly. Sometimes I skip my medication because we just cannot afford it,” she said with frustration tinged in her voice.

Calls for UP Govt Intervention

The fast-growing population, and the accompanying healthcare crisis, of Greater Noida West has raised the pitch for prompt government intervention. Anil Verma, a resident of Greater Noida West says, “It’s high time the government acknowledged the healthcare needs of this rapidly growing population. We need at least one fully equipped government hospital and several clinics to cater to the medical needs of the people. The current situation is unsustainable.”

The Way Forward

While Greater Noida West is fast turning into a mega residential zone, there are no government hospitals. A solution to this problem would certainly involve a multi-dimensional effort: investments in public healthcare infrastructure on immediate note and, of course, strategic planning for its long-term sustainability.

Government hospitals do much more than provide cheap treatment to one and all; they are capable of instilling a feeling of security and well-being in people. To the residents of Greater Noida West, the establishment of such facilities is not so much an issue of healthcare as it is one of social justice.

As the population of Greater Noida West gets more condensed, pressure is exerted on accessible and affordable health care. The cases of Rajesh, Seema, and Asha make a strong point for urgent government intervention. Without it, residents will continue to be in the clutches of costly private healthcare. The residents of Greater Noida West wait for quality government hospitals in the area.