Srinagar, Dec 25: Health Department Kashmir has abandoned a sub centre in Yadipora village of Palhallan in north Kashmir. The department has failed to approve a concrete building irking the residents.
Residents told Rising Kashmir that the sub-center, which operates from a small old fashioned dilapidated structure, was established to provide basic health facilities.
“The old kaccha structure, which looks like a cowshed, accommodates four health employees including two paramedics and two ASHAs but it was never repaired or renovated,” said Nazim Hamza, a local resident.
He said the department has neither shifted the sub-center to some other private structure nor planned a new building which could have made it a better facility.
“The structure is in dilapidated condition and needs attention from the authorities. We have enough land available but no one is bothered about its situation,” he said.
Nazim said that the old structure is unsafe and can collapse anytime and poses a threat to staff as well as patients. “It should be shifted to a safer location,” he said.
Locals said that for the past more than two decades nothing has changed at the sub centre except its signboard. It has no washroom, no toilet and no water giving a tough time to the posted staff.
“Over the past few years, snowfall has damaged its rooftop and the structure is on the verge of collapse,” said Athar Jameel, a student.
Few years back the Village Development Committee headed by Mohammad Younis had raised the issue with concerned authorities but no concrete step had been taken.
Two years back, the locals had taken up the issue with the DC Baramulla following which the Chief Medical Officer was directed to look into the issue but despite that nothing was done.
However, Block Medical Officer, Pattan, Dr Mohammad Taha Khan stated that the issue has already come in their notice and they also want that the issue gets resolved.
“Yes it operates in a dilapidated structure. Some time back higher authorities had visited the village. We have taken up the matter and written a letter to the higher ups of the health department,” he said.
The BMO said immunization of children, women, pre-natal check-ups for pregnant women and other services are provided at the same structure besides medicines are available.
