Saima Bashir
SRINAGAR
The Primary Health Center of Rayar area of district Budgam lacks all the basic facilities and is in shambles.
The hospital runs from a two-storeyed “old-building” and lacks most of the basic facilities like USG, X-ray and other basic facilities besides an ambulance.
“The PHC does not have an ambulance facility and in-case of emergencies the locals hire private vehicles to shift patients to tertiary care hospitals,” the locals said.
“There are no facilities of USG or even X-Ray. There are no basic medicines available and people are even asked to buy bandages and cotton from the market,” the locals alleged.
Besides, few blood tests are available at the hospital but are done manually as there is no analyzer in the hospital.
Ghulam Rasool Khan, a local patient said that he had come for an X-ray of his tooth and was asked to go to Beerwah hospital for the same.
A group of locals of the area said that the PHC has three doctors but they never turn up for duties together.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a local resident said, “Among the three one comes on Tuesdays only while the other two turn up late on duty and leave early.”
“During the recent pulse polio crisis the PHC was closed and we had to take our children to Beerwah hospital for the medical checkup of our children,” the locals alleged.
The locals said that they have many times approached the concerned authorities to take notice of the matter. But no action has been taken till now.
BMO, Khan-Sahib while talking to Kashmir Life said, “I will look into the matter why the doctors are irregular. I will also assure that the basic medicines will be provided to the patients.”
However, he said being a primary health center x-ray and USG facility can’t be provided as they are available in sub district hospital.
(Saima Bashir is an Intern with Kashmir Life)
