Baramulla, Nov 29: The Uri subdivision in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is facing a severe healthcare crisis, with far-flung areas experiencing a dire shortage of doctors and paramedical staff.
Locals said the situation worsens during winter months when heavy snowfall isolates remote regions.
A healthcare official said that Uri medical block, having one sub-district hospital and several primary health centres, is grappling with shortages and lacks sufficient medical amenities.
The shortage of doctors is particularly critical in Churanda, Gwalta, Kamalkot, and Nambla hospitals, he said, adding that with a capacity for 40 doctors, only 23 are currently appointed, leaving 17 positions vacant.
Locals said that 23 doctors are insufficient to cater to the patient rush in Uri tehsil.
Border towns of Uri and Boniyar suffer from a dearth of doctors at the SDH Uri hospital, which is causing significant issues for patients.
The SDH Uri, with a capacity for 16 doctors, currently has 9 appointments, while 7 posts are vacant, as per the official.
He said the hospital lacks essential specialists, with only one paediatrician and a limited number of gynaecologists and dental surgeons.
“The unavailability of oncologists, ENT specialists, radiologists, ophthalmologists, and sonologists at SDH Uri forces patients to seek treatment in Baramulla or Srinagar, overburdening those facilities,” a local said.
Urgent demands from locals include the need for more medical staff, improved facilities, and daily ultrasound services.
They said the area’s isolation after heavy snowfall compounds the challenges, citing instances of pregnant women facing life-threatening situations due to road closures.
The medical block of Boniyar faces similar challenges, with only 9 doctors appointed out of 17 positions.
Locals urge the government to elevate the primary health centre of Boniyar to a hospital status to better serve more than 50 villages and approximately 75,000 residents.
