Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Oct 22: Four out of five New Type Primary Health Centre buildings in Tral medical block of Pulwama district are yet to be handed over to health department due to which the functioning of these centres is getting badly affected
A heath official said that the construction of five hospital NTPHC buildings was started at one time in Tral block.
They said that these buildings include NTPHC Lalpora Khalil, NTPHC Bhatnoora, NTPHC Rathsun, NTPHC Aripal and NTPHC Hari Parigam and each one was to be constructed at a cost of Rs 1. 60 lakh
They added that all NTPHC buildings have been completed years before but due to unknown reasons as of now just one NTPHC buildings namely Bhatnoora has been handed over to the health department while rest have been left abandoned.
Locals from Lalpora Khalil area of Tral said that even after the passing of more than seven years since the construction work on the new building of Primary Health Centre (PHC) in village in the Tral sub-district of Pulwama district and it has been already completed before years but it hasn’t been handed over to health department.
They said that more than seven years have passed since the foundation stone was laid for the health centre in the area and waiting for handover takeover process showing the lackadaisical approach of the authorities.
They said that the construction work of the building was undertaken by the housing board department.
“We have been facing many issues as the centre operates from two rooms only. Shifting to a new building with the facilities would have mitigated our problems but, unfortunately, it took many years to complete and we are still waiting for the handover takeover process,” said Irshad Ahmad, a local resident.
The staff members posted in the centre also complained of hardships, in view of space constraints in it, and said that the rooms (available for PHC) they are working in, witness the good flow of patients throughout the day.
They said that staff strength is sufficient here, however, some of the staffers have been diverted to other places due to lack of accommodation.
The hospital would have all facilities if it would be shifted to a new building, they said.
Similar voices were raised by the residents of Rathsuna, Hari Parigam and others.
The residents of these areas have demanded immediate intervention of authorities in shifting hospitals to new buildings so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, CMO Pulwama Dr Haseena said that she will look into it and will check reasons behind it.
