Pulwama, July 22 : Residents from Zaintrag village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have demanded better healthcare facilities at New Type Primary Health Centre ( NTPHC) in their area.
Zaintrag is a far-flung hilly village in Khrew area of Pampore medical block, around 30 Kilometer from district headquarters in Pulwama.
The residents from the village told Rising Kashmir that a spacious two storey building was constructed for NTPHC Zaintrag at a cost of around rupees 306.00 lakh.
A senior citizen of the area, Mohammad Ramzan Mir, said that the building was inaugurated in 2021. He said that the health facility is deficient in staff.
“ The NTPHC is managed by a Female Multipurpose Health Worker (FMPHW) and a Sweeper,” he said, adding that besides a doctor has been deputed to this facility for two days a week basis.
He said that there is no pharmacist at the NTPHC.
He added that the facility has an ambulance but not the driver.
Another villager, Aijaz Ahmad, said that the facility is without electricity.
He said that a medical officer has been deputed at the facility for two days a week.
“Some patients are lucky to get examined by him on those two days, for other days patients return without any consultation,” he said, adding that for even minor ailments they have to travel to Khrew or Pampore to seek the treatment.
The villagers said that sections for laboratory, ECG/ USG, X Ray, ENT, Gynaecology OPD and Emergency Examination and others have been identified but not operationalised.
The villagers demanded operationalizing these sections and providing staff and other facilities at the NTPHC.
Block Medical Officer (BMO) Pampore, Dr Asima, said that facilities like USG, X Ray, Laboratory and others are not possible at NTPHC level.
The BMO said that various sections have been identified at the NTPHC in anticipation of its up- gradation.
“ The NTPHC has sanctioned staff of a medical officer, a pharmacist, an FMPHW and a sweeper,” the BMO said, adding that the pharmacist post fell vacant after its occupier reached superannuation and they have taken up this issue with authorities for filling the post.
She further added that five doctors from their block were deputed to Yatra, Hajj and other duties.
“ The doctors are joining back and soon NTPHC Zantrag will get a full time medical officer,” she said.
She asked for raising the grievance of electricity through proper channels so that they assess its feasibility.
