Shopian, May 04 (KNO): The patients in Watchi hamlet of South Kashmir's Shopian here have expressed resentment against the health department for what they termed as failing to deploy doctors there for the last one year.
Residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) Watchi is run by two Multi-Purpose Health Workers, and authorities have failed to post a doctor there.
They said the sub-centre in the area was upgraded to NTPHC a few years ago, and a new building was sanctioned, which was inaugurated in January 2020. However, the government has failed to post a permanent doctor here.
They said that after repeated requests, a doctor was deployed there. However, with the cancellation of attachment orders of the doctors and paramedical staff last year, all staff deployed here have joined duties at their original positions, leaving NTPHC without the staff,” said Javid Ahmad Reshi, a local resident.
Later, after repeated requests to the authorities, another doctor was posted here; however, he resigned from the job, leaving the health centre without any doctor again, he said.
They said that since then only immunisation is being done at the facility and no patients’ visits there where an average footfall was around 40 patients per day.
Farooq Ahmad, a local resident said locals are suffering in absence of the doctors and they are forced to visit other hospitals.
Locals said that BMO Zainapora has been now deputing a doctor to the facility once a week but that isn't enough to cater the whole area, adding that there is a need of at least two doctors including one lady doctor so that patients can be managed locally.
They said despite bringing the issue into the notice of concerned authorities several times, nothing has been done so far. The local urged the higher ups to look into the matter at an earliest so that locals won't suffer anymore—(KNO)