Srinagar, Nov 09 (KNO): A Primary Health Centre in Nagbal Yousmarg area in Budgam continues to run out of a rented building affecting patient care.
The PHC is currently operating from a three room structure lacking facilities for patients.
A health official who wished not to be named, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that patients come here for first aid and immunization. Rest, there are no facilities although staff is available but due to space crunch they are unable to perform their duties very well, the official added.
"The basic facilities required to provide better services to the patients aren't available and there is no option other than to shift patients to SDH Chaar-e-Shareef or District Hospital Pulwama for treatment," he added.
Locals said that the village is just a few kilometres away from tourist spot Yusmarg and there is always a heavy rush of visitors to the tourist destination.
They said that due to heavy rush accidents happen frequently on the road but there is no option but to shift patients when there are no facilities available at PHC Nagbal.
Parvaiz Ahmad, a local, said that during heavy snowfall the village remains cut off with rest of the valley and several times patients were taken to hospital on carts due to which there is need to equip the health centre with modern facilities.
He said that staff posted are working well and trying to improve services but in absence of facilities and space, their efforts are going in vain.
Locals said that they have brought the issue into the notice of concerned authorities following which new building was sanctioned but work on the building is going on at snail’s pace.
They said that first first-storey of the PHC was constructed and then work was put on halt for years together and now this year second storey was constructed.
"If authorities won't expedite the pace of the work then it will take years to complete the building," they said.
An official of the health department said that the work on the building has been resumed recently and it will be completed by March next year.
He said that work was put on halt due to paucity of the funds but now hospital will be made functional at new building soon so that patients won't suffer anymore—(KNO)