Srinagar, Feb 20: The primary healthcare services in more than 60 villages in the Khag area in Budgam continue to remain affected with residents demanding a sub-district hospital.
Residents of the remote area said they are devoid of basic healthcare facilities although the village has a PHC but it is understaffed and lacks basic healthcare facilities.
Nisar Ahmad, a local resident, said Khag is the only tehsil deprived of SDH despite having a population of over 60,000. He said the area is in dire need of better healthcare.
The adjoining villages that include Sitharn, Drung, Habbar, Khapora, Khonthpora, Shunglipora, Kokarbagh, Chakh, Nasarpora, Hagarpora, Nagbal, etc. have no healthcare facilities and solely depend on the PHC, Nisar said. “This is the only PHC here and it is grappling with the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff. There are no specialist doctors who would cater to the needs of patients,” he said.
The lack of basic healthcare facilities at the facility is compelling patients to visit SDH Magam and other Srinagar hospitals, which is unaffordable for poor patients.
The locals said the area has been neglected in terms of healthcare facilities and patients suffer the most especially in case of emergencies.
Another local Javid Ahmad said the area remains cut off from district headquarters in winter, especially when there is heavy snowfall and it becomes difficult for patients to travel.
The resident said that the PHC caters to more than 60 adjoining villages but despite that, it has not been upgraded over the years leaving the patients to suffer.
“Pregnant women suffer the most. Even normal deliveries are not conducted in the hospital. Patients are referred to Magam and Srinagar for minor ailments,” he said.
He also said that already-posted doctors haven’t been transferred for a long time. Javid said they face major inconvenience and it is also putting a strain on their finances.
The local said the civil society of Khag and other villages had taken up the matter many times with the health department and district administration but nothing was done.
“The health department should visit the areas and take immediate steps to sanction and build SDH which is the only if they want to provide better healthcare facilities,” he said.
Spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mir Mushtaq said the department follows Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms before sanctioning any health facility.
“Population is the major decider to sanction any health facility. If these villages fit the IPHS norms, the residents should approach us. Then the directorate will examine the same and then a recommendation can be sent to the government,” he said.
He said if the demands are genuine and meet the IPHS criteria then the department will consider them, and forward them to the government with the recommendation.
