Tangmarg, Oct 2 (KNS): Locals in Tangmarg have expressed strong resentment over what they describe as the decades-long monopoly of a single cooperative medical shop functioning within the premises of Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tangmarg.

Residents allege that the medical shop has been under the control of one operator for years without any transparency or oversight. They said the absence of competition has left patients with no choice but to rely on the outlet, often causing delays and hardships in accessing essential medicines.

With no other medical store available within the hospital campus, patients are forced to walk nearly 700 meters to procure medicines from outside. This, locals said, poses severe challenges for elderly patients, those in emergencies, and individuals requiring immediate medication.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

They further pointed out that despite SDH Tangmarg catering to a large population from adjoining areas, the authorities have not taken steps to open more pharmacies at the hospital, which they termed as “administrative apathy.”

Allowing one shop to operate unchecked for decades raises questions on why such a monopoly has been permitted,” a group of locals told KNS.

The residents have appealed to the health department to take urgent measures to end the monopoly and ensure that more medical outlets are allowed within the hospital premises for the convenience of patients(KNS)