Three years on, proposed maternity hospital in Pulwama hasn’t come up
Pulwama:- Even after a lapse of over three years, since the government identified a piece of land in Pulwama for construction of 100-bed maternity hospital, the health facility has still remained a dream.
An official said that three years back 112 kanals of land were identified at Sirnoo Pulwama for construction of the maternity hospital to address the growing health issues of women in south Kashmir particularly Pulwama and Shopian, but except putting up a notice board at the proposed site no work has been started so far.
He said that it was long pending demand of the people of Pulwama and Shopian to mitigate the referrals to Srinagar hospitals or MCH Anantnag to large extend but it seems that project has been abandoned.
He added that if project will come up here, it would definitely decrease the rush in LD hospital and people of Pulwama and Shopian would get facilities at their doorstep.
Locals from Pulwama town said that they have moved from pillar to post for approval of the maternity hospital in the area but after a lapse of over three years the project is nowhere in sight.
They said that after repeated representations to the authorities, site of around 112 kanals was identified in Sirnoo Pulwama with assurances that very soon work on the proposed 100 bed hospital will start but nothing has been done as of now.
They further added that earlier government had proposed site in Chandgam area which is far from town, however, after repeated protests the current location was identified.
They said that if this facility will come up, it will save both time and money of the locals as in absence of maternity hospital in the area, they are forced to take patients to either Srinagar or private clinics.
They requested higher ups to look into the matter at an earliest and start work on the proposed hospital so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.
Dr Mir Mushtaq spokesperson of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir said that proposal has been already forwarded to higher ups, however, the project hasn’t got administrative approval yet.
He said that it is under the active consideration of the government and hopefully it will be approved soon.
Jahangeer Ganaie
