Srinagar, Dec 23: 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 is taking toll on the patient care system.
Locals told the INS that the health centre, which was established decades back in a private building, has not been equipped with adequate facilities.
The residents who continue to yearn for a full-fledged health care centre in the village blame the successive governments and health department of failing to fulfill their long pending demands.
They said the new building for health centre was constructed 7 years ago by R&B department with the cost of around 22 lakh but till date it is yet become functional and has turned into a pathetic state after being 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 been handed over to the health department” Fazil Ud Din, a local resident told INS.
The residents rue that their repeated pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
The centre, as per locals, was functioning from a private building but after its owner expelled the staff due to some rental issues, the PHC is functioning from nowhere now.
“Now, the residents suffer immensely. They have to travel 6 kilometres for even first aid treatment,” they said.
The residents urged the higher authorities to look into the matter at the earliest.
When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer R&B Zahoor Ahmad said, “We have already sent an estimate to the higher officials regarding the said building and after proper repair work, the PHC will be handed over to the health department soon.”
