NTPHC in Awantipora village lacks all basic facilities, allege locals
Awantipora: A new type primary health centre at Chersoo village in Awantipora Tehsil of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district lacks all basic facilities, the locals alleged.
Residents said that a PHC was established here around a decade before and was working in two roomed building, however, a building was constructed and it was shifted there, however, nothing changed on ground in terms of facilities.
They said that residents of over one dozen villages are suffering due to the callous attitude of authorities towards the centre.
Officials posted at the centre said that this centre lacks the entire basic infrastructure required for smooth functioning and despite repeated reminders to the authorities no facility has been enhanced at the hospital.
“No medicine other than the first aid is available here due which we are forced to shift every patient to district hospital,” the locals said.
“The authorities have upgraded it to PHC but only on paper as it is not even fit to be termed a dispensary as it works without any facilities. There is no laboratory, no dental section, no ambulance and no doctors,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a local alleged.
“We have single washroom here. There is no electricity, no heating system available due to which it becomes difficult to serve here for officials as well,” he said.
“One doctor is posted here from the last three years but he has not bothered to spend even three days here since he was posted,” said the locals.
They said that they have contacted the higher ups in this regard several times but no action was taken against the doctor.
“Big building has been constructed but of no use as there are no facilities and locals are forced to visit district hospitals even for minor ailments,” Shahid Ahmad, another local resident said.
He said that only Chersoo village has population of over 7 thousand and people of many more adjacent villages are dependent on it.
On contacting Block medical officer Tral, Dr Bashir Ahmad, he said that doctor has two nights off, however, he should remain present for four days at the centre.
“I will look into the matter and if reports are found to be true, action will taken against him besides that every possible step for the betterment of the centre will be taken,” he said.
Jahangeer Ganaie
