Srinagar, June 25: The Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Awantipora continues to operate from three rented rooms, lacking basic medical facilities, although officials claim the facility will be relocated to an under-construction building within a month.
Residents said that despite being centrally located on the Jammu-Srinagar highway and catering to a large population, including students of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), the centre has long faced government neglect.
Nadiya Rashid, a student of IUST, said she visited the health centre around 9:00 p.m. a few days ago after developing a fever.
“I was surprised to learn that the facility didn’t have a functioning thermometer to check my body temperature,” she said.
She added that she was asked to buy a thermometer on her own. “The staff even insisted that I didn’t have a fever. When I went to a nearby pharmacy, my temperature was over 100°F,” Nadiya said.
“This experience is deeply concerning and highlights the poor state of basic healthcare infrastructure in the area. Students also suffer,” she added, urging the health department to equip the PHC with essential medical tools and supplies.
“The health and well-being of the community, especially those without easy access to alternative care, depend on it.”
Locals also said ultrasound services were stopped two months ago after the lone radiologist left the job, causing immense difficulties for patients, especially pregnant women.
“Expecting mothers are forced to travel long distances for ultrasounds. The rented building has several issues, and we urge authorities to shift the facility as soon as possible,” said Javid Ahmad, a resident.
He added that although a new hospital building was completed years ago at a substantial cost, it remains unused for unknown reasons.
Block Medical Officer Pampore, Dr. Yousuf, said the new three-storey building is nearly complete and will be made functional within a month.
“The health department recently discussed the issue in a meeting and decided to expedite the shifting process. The existing facility is housed in rooms that once served as a school,” he said.
Dr. Yousuf added that the PHC currently functions 24/7 and, once relocated, will have the recommended staff for better patient care.
He also said the department has finalized the names of doctors to be sent for ultrasound training to resume the suspended services.
Regarding the thermometer issue, he said, “We stopped keeping thermometers post-COVID due to high contamination risks.”
