By: Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian: Owing to the lackadaisical approach of the administration, a sub-centre which was upgraded to a new type primary health centre (NTPHC) in Turkwangam village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district before several years is yet to be upgraded.
Locals from Turkwangam village said that they were deceived by the administration as in 2019 government accorded sanction for the upgradation of sub -centre to NTPHC but now years have passed centre is yet to be upgraded.
Jahangir Ahmad, a local resident, said that after hectic efforts the administration had upgraded the sub centre to NTPHC but days later we were told that the department is yet to upgrade it.
He said that at the time of the sanction, authorities said that new building will be constructed at Rs 2.34 crore but now when building has been completed health authorities says that it hasn’t been upgraded yet
“The sub- centre was functioning in a rented building but it has been now shifted to the new building but facilities haven’t been upgraded,” Jahangir said.
Locals said they are facing problems as the area lacks health care facilities and no attention is being provided towards their area.
“We are forced to visit district hospitals of southern districts for even headache and minor injuries as no health centre is available in the locality,” they said.
“A doctor has been posted here but in absence of any medicine and facility, he sits idle as nobody turns to the hospital,” locals said. “If hospital wasn’t to be upgraded then for what this building was constructed.”
Locals urged authorities to look into the matter and equip the building with basic facilities so that locals could have a sigh of relief.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Shopian, Dr. Arshid Tak said that the sub centre hasn’t been upgraded NTPHC yet but they have written to higher ups in this regard and hopefully it will be done at an earliest.
“A doctor from district hospital and a pharmacist from SDH Zainapora have already been deputed for the welfare of the locals,” Tak said. (KNO)
