Srinagar, Feb 12: The administration of GMC Baramulla and Health Department have failed to make the defunct USG and X-ray machines functional at PHC Kalantra, a Rural Training Health Centre (RHTC) under the GMC, forcing patients from over two dozen villages to suffer due to the lack of basic healthcare facilities.
Residents of Kalantra and its surrounding areas complained that the existing dysfunctional USG and X-ray machines haven’t been made functional despite repeated requests to the GMC Baramulla and Health Department who have turned deaf ears towards the issue.
Ashiq Ahmad, a resident said the PHC caters to more than two dozen villages including Kalantra Payeen, Kalantra Bala, Danmoh, Kakothal, Kachwa, Muqam, Darwa, Mungam, Bandipayeen, Kohlina, Saterseeran, Nagbal, Nambalnar and other adjoining villages.
“The patients are suffering due to the lack of lack of USG. Pregnant women are forced to visit the private clinics for USGs which is unaffordable for many poor patients,” he said.
Due to the defunct USG machine for months together, pregnant women are compelled to visit SDH Kreeri, which is 15 km away and SDH Chandoosa.
“Traveling to Kreeri and Chandoosa is difficult for an expecting mother due to the poor condition of the road. They face numerous challenges during the journey. The defunct USG machine should be made functional to provide relief to women in the villages,” he said.
Regarding the already installed X-ray machine which is not functioning, locals said it requires a proper backup or transformer facility which has not been done so far.
In 2019, the PHC Kalantra was converted into RHTC under GMC Baramulla but after the passing of six years, the hospital continues to face neglect. The facility has dual control of GMC Baramulla and BMO Kreeri but it still lacks basic facilities.
“After its conversion to RHTC, we were promised better health facilities which we have not seen yet. We are suffering a lot,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a resident.
The civil society of Kalantra requested GMC Baramulla and concerned authorities to depute at least one doctor during night hours which will ease the problems of patients.
The locals said although a full-fledged staff quarter near the hospital was repaired last year with huge money, it has not been made functional yet nor handed over to the hospital.
Principal GMC Baramulla, Dr. Majid Jehangir, said he has raised the requirement for a transformer for the X-ray machine with the MLA of Wagoora-Kreeri Assembly constituency. The medical college does not have the required funds to buy the transformer.
“I have requested the MLA to provide Rs 2 lakh for the transformer, and he has assured me that it will be given after March,” he said.
Officials said GMC Baramulla is facing a shortage of radiologists, so they cannot run the USG machine. Last week, GMC Baramulla authorities raised the issue of the USG machine with BMO Kreeri, who refused to operate it, citing lack of manpower.
Officials said that the medical college will take up the issue of the defunct USG machine and the requirement of manpower for it with Director Health Services Kashmir.
Block Medical Officer Kreeri, Dr Yaqoob said they do not have the manpower to run the USG machine. “We do not have the sinologists,” he said.
The residents appealed to the Minister for H&ME Department, Sakeena Itoo and the Administrative Secretary, H&ME Department, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah to look into the matter and take concrete measures so that patients do not suffer anymore.
