Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 6: Despite the construction of a full-fledged building for the New Type Public Health Centre (NTPHC) in Doabgah, located in north Kashmir’s Sopore, the authorities have allegedly failed to ensure the presence of necessary staff for patient care.
Residents allege that due to the unavailability of doctors and paramedical staff, the hospital is essentially useless, forcing patients to travel long distances for even basic medical care.
“There are several surrounding areas which could benefit from the NTPHC if there were doctors and staff available. It could cater to the healthcare needs of a significant population,” said Ghulam Muhammad, one of the residents.
The residents mentioned that the hospital was established decades ago and operated from a private building for a long time before the authorities constructed a full-fledged building.
However, they question the purpose of having such a sprawling building without adequate staff. Currently, only a nurse is stationed there, which the residents argue is insufficient to attend to patients’ needs.
Despite raising the issue with authorities multiple times, the residents claim their concerns have gone unheard. They urge the authorities to address the problem and ensure adequate staff is stationed at the hospital for better patient care.
“In the past, this hospital had a doctor, but our grievances seem to be ignored. Recently, there was an accident where two youngsters were injured, and despite having a hospital here, we had to take them elsewhere for treatment,” the residents lamented.
The authorities, however, said that the post of the doctor at the NTPHC Doabgah is vacant and remains to be filled after the earlier doctor was promoted.
BMO, Sopore, Dr Zulfikar Nabi told Excelsior that the staff strength of the hospital is one doctor, one ANM, and one Pharmacist. “The doctor’s post is vacant; ANMs are two there despite one post; Pharmacist is vacant, but we have posted one there.”
He informed that the department stands notified in this matter and a posting of a doctor to the hospital has been sought for better patient care.
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