Awantipora, Jan 20 (KNO): A New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) at Chersoo village in Awantipora tehsil of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district continues to function without doctors, staff and basic facilities, leaving residents of more than a dozen villages to suffer for years.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that despite the centre being upgraded to a Primary Health Centre (PHC) on paper, the situation on the ground remains dismal.
“This health centre was established around 15 years ago and initially functioned from a two-room building. Later, a new and spacious building was constructed, and the centre was shifted there, but nothing changed in terms of facilities,” residents alleged.
According to villagers, the centre lacks almost everything required for basic healthcare delivery, including doctors, paramedical staff, medicines, laboratory facilities, ambulance services, dental care and diagnostic equipment.
Ironically, locals claim they pooled money on their own to purchase an ambulance, an X-ray machine and other basic equipment, but these remain largely unused due to the absence of staff and other facilities.
“Over a dozen villages depend on this centre, yet patients are forced to travel to the district hospital even for minor ailments,” said Shahid Ahmad, a resident. “A big building has been constructed, but it is of no use. There is no proper laboratory, ambulance service and no regular doctor. It is worse than a dispensary.”
Residents further alleged that one doctor was posted when it was functioning without a proper building. They added that when the building was constructed, doctors were unavailable.
We have raised this issue several times with higher authorities, but nothing has been done as of now, despite repeated assurances, they said.
Locals said the NTPHC lacks almost the entire basic infrastructure required for smooth functioning. They said that despite repeated reminders to the authorities, no facility has been enhanced.
Residents said that Chersoo village alone has a population of over 7,000, and several adjoining villages are dependent on the centre. “Due to the non-functional health centre, people prefer visiting private compounders instead of coming here, as there is hardly any facility available,” Shahid Ahmad said.
Anguished over years of neglect, residents have demanded immediate intervention by the health authorities.
They urged the government to post adequate medical and paramedical staff and equip the NTPHC with modern facilities so that people are not forced to travel long distances for basic healthcare—(KNO)