Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Nov 11: The New Type Primary Health Centre in Botangoo in Sopore area of Baramulla district remains incomplete, despite the passing of 15 years since the work began, with officials claiming that work on the pending phase will resume soon.
Local residents lament that nearly 15 villages are facing healthcare problems due to deficient infrastructure. They mention that the health centre was established to address the community’s healthcare needs, but poor implementation has hindered the initiative. “The officials’ failure to complete this facility reflects their lack of seriousness towards rural healthcare,” said Umar Ahmad, a local.
According to locals, construction progress on healthcare has been slow since the Government sanctioned it in 2007. The primary construction work on the building is complete, but the Government has failed to operationalize it, despite 16 years passing since its inauguration.
“The completion of this hospital would significantly improve healthcare in the area and ensure timely treatment for the people. We are eagerly waiting for the hospital’s completion, as people have to travel to Sopore for their healthcare needs, with expectant mothers being the worst affected,” said Nissar Ahmad, a local.
He mentioned that for the past two years, authorities have made no progress and left the structure to decay. Meanwhile, people continue to receive treatment in a nondescript two-room building lacking basic facilities like electricity, toilets, and water.
The locals expressed disappointment in the administration’s failure to complete the project within the stipulated time, citing indifference towards the area’s people. “The project’s implementation gaps are apparent, yet no one is willing to acknowledge the failure,” a local said.
Local activist Irfan Dilawar Bhat hoped that the present administration would complete it soon. “We have repeatedly raised the issue with authorities, but our pleas have gone unheard. Successive Governments have failed to complete this project,” he said. He further highlighted that the place has become a favourite spot for gamblers and drug addicts.
Chief Medical Officer Baramulla Bashir Ahmad told Excelsior that the funding for the pending work has been received. “We will soon commence work on the pending phase,” he said.
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