On public demand Govt posts doctor at NTPHC Watchi
Shopian: The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has posted a doctor at NTPHC Watchi in south Kashmir’s Shopian district after persistent demand of the locals.
The locals have welcomed the move and said the posting of a doctor at the health care centre has brought a sigh of relief to them.
The people of Watchi said that New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) Watchi was run by a Female Multi Purpose Health worker (FMPHW) and authorities failed to post a doctor for three months.
“The sub centre in the area was upgraded to NTPHC a few years before and a new building was sanctioned which was inaugurated in January 2020,” they said, adding that the government had not posted any doctor at the centre till date.
“After hectic efforts a doctor was deployed here. The staff deployed here joined duties at their original positions after the government cancelled deployment of the doctors and the paramedical staff which left NTPHC staff less in August this year,” they said.
They said that since then only immunisation was done at the hospital and no patients would visit the hospital for the treatment.
“A doctor has been deployed here but it is not enough as a big building has been constructed and machinery has been installed but all the machines are lying defunct due to shortage of staff,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a local Auqaf member.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Shopian Dr Arshid said that they have already taken up the issue with higher ups and hopefully the matter will be solved soon.
Jahangeer Ganaie
