Kupwara, Oct 2: Nestled in the foothills of Bangus Valley, the residents of Sarmarg were hopeful of improved healthcare after their health facility was upgraded to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), but even after seven years, it continues to lack the most basic infrastructure and services, causing immense hardships for the locals.
The upgradation had initially raised hopes of better healthcare access for over a dozen villages, but nothing has changed during the last seven years. “Following upgradation of our hospital to NTPHC, we were told that residents will get a fully equipped centre with adequate staff and services, but the centre continues to operate from a two-room damaged old building, putting both patients and staff at risk,” a local told Greater Kashmir.
“Although a doctor was posted here a year ago, without proper support and facilities, the presence of a single doctor has not made much difference. Our hospital still lacks diagnostic facilities and substantial medical staff, forcing patients to visit Associated District Hospital GMC Handwara by travelling over 25 kilometres for treatment,” he added.
The residents said that the lack of an ambulance also haunts them badly because in emergencies, they are forced to hire private cabs to carry their patients to other hospitals. “We are subjected to paying Rs 1000 every time to private cab owners at the time of any medical emergency. Had there been an ambulance available at our hospital, we would not have to pay a huge amount, considering the feeble economic condition of the people living here,” Bilal Rasheed, a youth from the village, told this correspondent.
The residents said that currently only a pharmacist, an MMPHW and the newly deputed doctor were available here, which, according to them, does not meet the healthcare needs of over five thousand people.
Administrative confusion also adds to the woes of locals here. The locals said that, despite being geographically part of Rajwar and under Zachaldara tehsil, Sarmarg has been placed under Medical Block Ramhall, which has no direct road connectivity with the village. “We have time and again requested that our village be realigned with Medical Block Rajwar so that we are not left out, but after numerous representations to the concerned authorities, nothing has changed,” they added.
Residents have demanded that the health facility be made operational 24×7 with full staff and infrastructure, including an ambulance and diagnostic services.
They urged the concerned authorities to take immediate action to address the long-pending issues and make the NTPHC fully functional in the true sense.
Block Medical Officer (BMO) Vilgam, Ghulam Raheem, told Greater Kashmir that only the local representative can allocate funds for construction of a new building for NTPHC Sarmarg.
Regarding round-the-clock services at NTPHC Sarmarg, he said that the discretion of making it operational 24×7 lies with higher officials.
Meanwhile, Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone said that the present dispensation has miserably failed to provide better healthcare facilities for the people living in rural areas. “Not only are the people of Sarmarg suffering due to lack of better healthcare services, but only a few doctors are posted at Sub District Hospital (SDH) Kralpora, causing severe hardships for the locals,” he added.
“I will take up the issue of NTPHC Sarmarg with the higher-ups of the Health Department, and hopefully something concrete comes out,” Lone said.
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