Staff shortage, lack of facilities hamper healthcare in PHC Chuntimulla

Bandipora: An acute shortage of doctors and other paramedical staff at Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Chuntimulla area in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has come under severe criticism with the patients alleging it to be a reason of immense hardships.
According to the locals visiting the PHC alleged that the claims being made by the authorities regarding better health care in Valley hospitals have fallen flat on the ground. “The PHC was established in 1960, but since then there is no up-gradation and is running without proper facilities, leaving patients with no option but to visit already over-crowded nearby PHC’s of DH Bandipora Hospital or general consultations,” locals visiting the hospital said.
“We are facing problems as there is no doctor available in the Health Centre. Now, everybody here prefers to visit district hospital Bandipora in wake of the lack of facilities and staff,” Niyaz Ahmad, a resident of Chuntimulla village said. Patients who visit this hospital bear the brunt due to financial Problems as to get treatment from a private hospital or nursing home. Patients having minor common cold, fever and Accidental cases are suffering the most due to absence of doctor in the health center and they have to travel at least 15 km’s to get even primary treatment at Bandipora hospital, said another resident.
An official wishing not to be named said that a number of posts are lying vacant in PHC including Medical officer, x-ray technician, Driver, Ophthalmologist Assistant, Senior Assistant, Junior Assistant, Lab Technician, Dental Surgeon, Sr Pharmacist, Nursing orderly and others. He said that one doctor was transferred from SDH Gurez to PHC Chuntimulla in June 2019 in place of another doctor, however the doctor managed to get himself attached to District Hospital Bandipora due to which people are suffering since then. Meanwhile, the locals appealed the Deputy commissioner Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmed to look into the matter so that people can breath the sign of relief. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora, Bashir Ahmad did not respond to repeated calls and text messages from this reporter. Meanwhile, another health official assured that the issues will be resolved as soon as possible.