Kulgam, May 19: For last more than a decade, people in South Kashmir’s Qaimoh Kulgam are waiting completion of the new 50-bedded Hospital.
The construction started during 2007-08 and its sanction was granted as the old hospital building was found insufficient to cater to the huge patient inflow. The paucity of funds and an alleged political indifference are being blamed for the delay in the construction of the much-need hospital in the area.
The locals said nearly 10 years have passed since the Government announced the much-needed up gradation of Primary health center into Sub-District Hospital. “It has turned up as joke,” said Ghulam Ahmad Dar, a local resident of Qaimoh.
He said that Government’s failure to complete the construction within stipulated time continues to be detrimental to local interest.
“We are unable to fathom reasons behind this political indifference,” said Mohammad Ismail , another local.
“Only the pillars of 1st floor of the building are there in 10 years.”
The locals said that the primary health center was running from last 40 years but due to the lack of the facilities, patients face myriad problems. Then the government sanctioned the Sub District Hospital in 2007-08 but it was yet to be completed, showing the indifferent attitude of the authorities. The work of the hospital building has been stopped many times due to which the aim of setting up the hospital has been lost. If the work continues at snail’s pace it seems it may take decades to complete, they said. When contacted, Deputy CMO Kulgam said there was a dispute between the land owner and court has stayed the work.
CMO Kulgam Fazil Kochak said the hospital building was being constructed by R&B department.
