Kupwara, Oct 19: Residents of the Haril area have expressed strong resentment over the lack of staff at the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), Monbal, resulting in severe hardships for inhabitants of over 50 villages.
The hospital caters to several upper reaches and remote villages, including Lahikote, Changdi, Monbal, Bandi, Malikpora, Utroosa, Kelshan, Londa, Haril, Jahama and Sheikhpora. However, it is facing a staff shortage, causing difficulties for residents.
Residents alleged that the hospital, established two decades ago, had never been a priority for the authorities.
“We belong to a heavy snow-bound area, and due to the accumulation of several feet of snow and the lack of specialist doctors at NTPHC Monbal, we are forced to carry our patients on makeshift cots, walking several kilometres to reach Haril, from where we board passenger vehicles to reach Qalamabad or Handwara hospitals for treatment,” said Nazir Ahmad War, a local resident of Haril.
Residents said a dental surgeon used to visit the hospital a few days a week, but a replacement had yet to be appointed following his transfer.
Residents also complained about the lack of basic facilities such as X-ray, ECG and USG services, which affects the smooth functioning of the hospital.
They said that although they had been pressing for the appointment of specialists, including a gynaecologist, for years, their demands had gone unaddressed.
“We requested the authorities several times to make this hospital functional round the clock, but to no avail,” said Salam Din, a local resident.
Residents have urged Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate, Sheikh Khursheed, to look into the matter so that their suffering can end and they can heave a sigh of relief.
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