Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Nov 27: The residents of Bhatnoor in the Tral sub-division of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are urging the authorities to upgrade the local sub-centre to a Primary Health Centre (PHC).
The residents said there is an urgent need for the upgradation of Bhatnoor Health Centre which currently serves several villages in the area.
While the government has constructed a substantial building for the health centre, the current facilities, available only from 10 am to 4 pm, are insufficient for the needs of the people of this area where mostly financially weaker sections live, said Ghulam Mohiuddin, a local.
“The population of the area is expanding, which has led to an increase in healthcare requirements. Although there is one doctor and two Female Multi-Purpose Health Workers (FMPHWs) performing their duties well, after 4 pm, we have no option but to travel to Tral for further treatment,” he said.
Locals said the lack of ambulance services at the centre adds to the challenges as it requires them to spend Rs 500 on fares to reach Tral.
Given the health centre’s role in catering to a large area, residents strongly advocate for its upgrade to a PHC. “This would lead to the posting of additional staff and the availability of round-the-clock medical facilities,” they said.
Locals said they have brought the issue, including staff shortages, the need for an ambulance, and laboratory facilities, to the attention of authorities multiple times, but received nothing except assurances.
Residents have appealed to higher authorities to address the issue of upgrading the health centre and enhancing facilities to alleviate the challenges faced by them.
A health official said that Bhatnoor is currently a sub-centre, and according to rules, it has adequate staff, including one MLHP and two FMPHWs.
He said the staff can only be increased by upgrading the centre’s status to a PHC, a proposal that is currently under active consideration.
