Lack of facilities at NTPHC Watchi irks people
Pulwama: Established almost two decades ago, a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) in Watchi village of Zainapora in south Kashmir’s Shopian district is painting a grim picture of the health sector in the area as the Centre lacks all basic facilities, locals have alleged.
Residents told ‘Kashmir Vision’ that a NTPHC was established here 20 years back but sans any staff and it continues to lack all the basic facilities.
They said that residents of over one dozen villages are suffering due to the callous attitude of authorities towards the centre.
Locals said that health centre lacks entire basic infrastructure required for its smooth functioning and just two staff members were posted here, among them a doctor remains available for two or three days in a week.
They said that a volunteer identified as Jahangir Ahmad, is a B Pharmacy student and he works here on volunteer basis.
“From the last three years he is conducting most of the work there,” the locals rued.
They added that there is no laboratory, no dental section and other facilities available due to which a population of over 20 thousand souls is suffering.
They further added that there is huge patient rush but they return dejected when they come to know that there are no facilities available at the hospital.
“Authorities have kept this NTPHC only on papers as it has a building with no laboratory and other basic facilities,” Irfan Ahmad, a local resident said.
He said that Watchi village despite having historical importance has been always used by politicians for their own benefits but they never took any step for the development of the biggest revenue village of the district.
Despite several appeals to the higher ups, nothing has been done so far, locals said while appealing concerned authorities to look into the matter so that the locals could heave a sigh of relief.
Chief Medical Officer Shopian Dr Ramesh Malla said that he has already informed higher ups about the staff shortage at the centre.
He assured that very soon the centre will get all the required facilities.
