Tral: Shortage of infrastructure, paucity of space, medicine and inadequate staff at decades-old Sub Health Centre and Family welfare (SHCFW) Narastan, in Aripal tehsil of Tral sub district, depicts how rural health care infrastructure is failing.
Locals told the INS that the said health centre was established decades back in a private building but “till the date it has not been equipped with adequate facilities like new building, staff and medicines”.
The residents who continue to yearn for a full-fledged health care centre in the village accuse the successive governments and health department of failing to fulfill their long pending demands in the area.
However, the residents said that new building for health centre was constructed 7 years back by R&B department with the cost of around 22 lakh but till date it is yet become functional and has turned into the pathetic state after ignored by authorities.
“Seven years back , foundation stone of new health centre was laid in the area by R&B but till date it has not handed over to the health department” Fazil Ud Din, a local resident said.
Residents rued that their repeated pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
The centre as per locals was functioning from a private building but after owner of the building expelled the staff from there due to some rental issues the health centre has become non functional.
“Even for first aid treatment,” we have to travel 6 kms.
” Whenever paramedical staff comes here, they treat patients on roadsides” said another resident.
Assistant Executive Engineer R&B Mr Zahoor Ahmad told INS that: “We have already sent estimate to the higher officials regarding the said building and after proper repairment, it will be handed over to the health department soon”.