Srinagar, Jul 31 (KNO): Over 13 years have passed since the foundation stone was laid for a hospital at Housing Colony Chanapora, but the residents continue to wait for its upgradation from a Primary Health Centre (PHC) to a Sub-District Hospital (SDH).
Despite an expenditure of over Rs 20 crore and the completion of the building in 2014, the facility still functions as a PHC, offering limited services between 10 am to 4 pm.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they have repeatedly approached authorities at various levels, demanding round-the-clock healthcare services and upgradation to SDH status. “The hospital has sufficient infrastructure, modern equipment and modular operation theatres, but it still fails to meet the healthcare needs of Chanapora and adjoining areas,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a local resident.
He added that a fully functional SDH operating 24x7 is the need of the hour to cater to patients not just from Chanapora but also from nearby areas like Bagh-e-Mehtab, Nowgam, Natipora and Rawalpora.
Fayaz Ahmad, another local resident, told KNO that despite raising the issue with every concerned authority, no concrete action has been taken. “In medical emergencies, patients are forced to rush to SMHS or SKIMS, which are far away. An upgraded hospital here would greatly ease the burden on tertiary care hospitals and serve the surrounding population better,” he said.
He also pointed out staff shortage at the facility, and claimed that expensive medical equipment worth crores lies defunct due to the absence of trained operators.
Residents have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene and ensure the hospital is upgraded and made functional round-the-clock at the earliest.
Meanwhile, a senior health department official acknowledged the demand and said it is currently under active consideration of the higher authorities.
He confirmed that the Chanapora hospital continues to operate as a PHC. “In 2010-11, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, approved a 30-bed facility under the National Health Mission (NHM), and the building was inaugurated in 2014 as a PHC,” the official said.
He said the PHC currently functions during standard hours (10:00 AM to 4:30 PM) and has staff strength of 21, including 4 Medical Officers and 2 Dental Surgeons.
“Though it is not yet an SDH, the hospital has been strengthened with additional machinery and manpower under NHM. Primary healthcare services such as free screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension and cancers (oral, breast, cervical) are being provided. Free essential medicines and diagnostic services are also available, along with health awareness and wellness programmes aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle,” he added—(KNO)