Local Population of the Area facing severe Hardships
CMO Assured that matter would be resolved
The construction of the New Type Primary Health Center (NTPHC) is still incomplete even after 12 years of its foundation in Khamna, Baharabad village of Hajin Tehsil in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
The population in the adjoining areas comprising thousands of people are facing severe difficulties due to inadequate health facilities.
According to the correspondent, on one hand, the government is making tall claims for the improvement of medical facilities in area. While the ground reality is against it as the medical system in the areas is in shambles.
However, the foundation stone of a ‘New Type Primary Health Center’ was laid in the year 2008, which kindled a ray of hope among the local population.
Fortunately, the roof of the building was finished but the internal and external maintenance of the hospital building is incomplete since then. According to the locals, the hospital is continuously operating from rented building of Local Auqaf Committee from last 60 years.
The locals added that the rented building consists of only four rooms which lay a question mark over the health department’s claims to improve health care in rural areas.
Due to non-availability of medical facilities in this village, people are facing severe difficulties. There is no health centre for a population of about 40,000 people.
On the papers, there is a New type of primary health centre operating in the area, but at the grassroots level no one knows about it, According to locals, if a person falls ill, it takes at least two hours to ferry him to Srinagar.
In this village, a minor headache proves worrisome as the concerned health centre is unable to provide proper medicines. In this regard, the government officials said that the hospital was estimated at the cost of Rs 93.92 lac rupees.
Rafiq Ahmed one of the locals said that they have to take their patients to either Sumbal or Srinagar hospital.
Executive Engineer R&B Sumbal Khurshid Ahmed said that the building would be handed over to the health department within the next two months.
Locals claimed t that more than 40,000 people from villages of Amchi Kundal, Baharabad, Markundal, Pushwari, Gundi Bon, Vijpara, Khumeina and Kathpura are dependent on this facility.
They added that the demand of the people for the provision of medical facilities in the villages should be the first priority of the government.
“Although many times this was brought to the notice of the Block Medical Officer, Chief Medical Officer and other senior officers of the district administration but no one paid heed to us, this village has been made a victim of political revenge” locals rued.
Finally, the population of thousands has appealed to the administration to complete the construction of building on priority basis and ensure the adequate staff and availability of medicines.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora Dr. Bashir said that, “on Tuesday send a delegation of Elder (Senior Citizens) so that I can visit the area in person” he assured.
