Kupwara, Sep 2: Residents of Machil in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have urged the government to upgrade the existing health centre to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), citing shortage of staff and lack of diagnostic facilities.
The residents said the inadequate healthcare infrastructure was causing hardship to the remote population, particularly during winters when heavy snowfall makes movement out of the area difficult.
“During winters, people hardly can move out of their houses due to several feet of snow. Whenever a medical emergency arises, people are forced to shoulder patients to reach PHC Duddi for treatment,” former Machil sarpanch Habibullah told Greater Kashmir.
He said only one pharmacist was currently posted at the Machil sub-centre, which was insufficient to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population.
Residents said the sub-centre had earlier been upgraded to a Health and Wellness Centre, but alleged that the move had remained confined to official records, with no significant improvement in facilities or staffing on the ground.
They urged the administration to upgrade the centre to an NTPHC and provide adequate medical and paramedical staff, diagnostic facilities and other essential infrastructure.
The residents said strengthening the health facility was particularly important for Machil given its remote location and difficult winter conditions.
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