Srinagar, Nov 09 (KNO): The Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Nagbal, located in the Yousmarg area of central Kashmir's Budgam district, continues to function from a cramped rented building, causing inconvenience to patients and staff alike. Despite the pressing need for a larger, better-equipped facility, the PHC has been operating from a small three-room structure, which lacks essential facilities for patients.
A health official, speaking on condition of anonymity with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the PHC primarily offers first-aid services and immunisation, but it is unable to provide comprehensive medical treatment due to the space constraints. “While there is staff available, the lack of proper space and facilities hampers our ability to deliver effective services. We often have no choice but to refer patients to SDH Chaar-e-Shareef or the District Hospital Pulwama for more advanced care,” he added.
Locals have expressed frustration over the ongoing situation, particularly because the PHC is located just a few kilometres from the popular tourist destination of Yousmarg, which sees a large influx of visitors. As a result, accidents are common in the area, and the lack of adequate medical facilities means that patients often have to be transported to other hospitals for treatment, they said.
Maroof Ahmad, a local, said they face difficulties faced during the winter months when heavy snowfall isolates the village from the rest of the valley. He said many times, patients had to be carried on carts due to the absence of transport facilities.
“There is a dire need to equip the PHC with modern medical infrastructure. The staff members here are doing their best, but without proper facilities, their efforts are limited,” Ahmad said.
Residents said they have raised the issue with concerned authorities on multiple occasions, after which a new building for the PHC was sanctioned. However, they said progress on the construction has been slow. “While the first storey of the new building was completed, work on the second storey was only finished last year, and the project is still far from complete,” they said. “If the pace of work does not accelerate, it could take years before the building is fully functional.”
We urge the authorities to prioritise this project so that we can receive the healthcare services we desperately need, said another resident.
Meanwhile, a health department official said that work on the new building is progressing, with only the finishing touches and the installation of medical infrastructure remaining. “Efforts are being made to complete the internal work as soon as possible,” he said—(KNO)