Pulwama, Aug 23 (KNO): A Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Aripal in Tral is facing shortage of staff, affecting patient care.
Locals told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the hospital caters to about 50000 souls in at least two dozen villages. The villages include Dar Ganie Gund, Aripal, Sofigund, Khanagund, Hajin, Gutroo, Satoora, Naristan, Jawaharpora Laam, Deodarpora, Gutangoo, Heewan, Dharamgund, Laribal, Wagad, Syedabad, Zesibal, Soinar, Nagnaad etc.
They said that due to lack of staff and non-availability of equipment, patients are forced to visit other hospitals mainly Sub District Hospital Tral for treatment.
Nawaz Ahmad, a local, said that there is no permanent MBBS doctor at the hospital due to which patients prefer to visit other hospitals.
He said that ambulances for the hospital were sanctioned years ago but in absence of driver attendants are forced to take their patients to other hospitals in private vehicles.
Ghulam Nabi, a local, said that some of the staff members of the hospital have been performing duties at other hospitals due to unknown reasons.
He said that machinery including X-Ray, ECG and for other tests worth lakhs has been installed in the hospital but the absence of technicians has left them defunct.
Locals said that they have brought the issue into the notice of concerned authorities several times but nothing happened so far.
They requested higher ups especially Director Health Services Kashmir to look into the matter and depute staff there so that locals won't suffer anymore.
A health official while acknowledging the staff shortage at the hospital told KNO that three staff nurses of the hospital have been performing their duties at SDH Tral due to unknown reasons while some junior BUMS doctors are also performing duties at PHC Aripal.
“We have brought these issues in notice of higher ups and we are hopeful these issues will be sought out soon,” he said—(KNO)