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| Medical Asstt runs PHC in Khiram | | Health Minister is incompetent | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Sept 12: Amid claims of improvement in healthcare in Kashmir, a medical assistant runs Primary health Center in Khiram village of South Kashmir's Anantnag district.
Villagers are up in arms against the health department for neglecting the hospital, upgraded years ago. Locals told Early Times that only two employees-Medical assistant Mohd Anwer and ambulance driver Mohd Iqbal are regularly attending duties.
"Medical assistant with the help of driver runs the hospital alone," a group of locals claimed.
They complained that they have to bear the brunt of shortage of doctors and lack of health care facilities in the health centre. "The approved staff strength for the PHC is at least one assistant surgeon, one lady doctor, one dental surgeon, one physician, one ISM doctor, pharmacist and other paramedical staff. But ironically the only one medical assistant is running the hospital," they said.
Residents said that for long they haven't seen any doctor visiting the primary health center. "Just for medical check-up, due to non availability of doctors at PHC we are being forced to visit Bijbehara hospital which is at a distance of 15 kms from the village," they said.
Middle rung official of the health department confirmed to Early Times that medical assistant is almost running the hospital alone. "Dr Mubarak (MBBS) was transferred to district hospital Anantnag a month ago from PHC Khiram. Dental surgeon Ajay Paul posted there had gone to complete his MD degree," he said.
He said that BUMS lady doctor posted at PHC Khiram don't attend her duties regularly due to health problems. "She is taking leaves due to health problems but still is managing and giving best of her at PHC," he added.
Reports said that ISM Medical assistant Mushtaq Ahmad, who had gone for Yatra duty, hasn't yet joined back. "We conveyed higher-ups and also sent reminders to Mushtaq Ahmad but he isn't joining back which is also affecting the common populace," official said.
Residents said that hospital lacks basic facilities and infrastructure. "Even for a minor injury we have to go to a private medicate or some other hospital for treatment," Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident said, adding hospital hasn't even a X-ray plant.
Villagers said that lab technician is available for only three days in the hospital while as Nursing Orderly (NO) was transferred four ago since the department hasn't bothered to look into the matter.
Villagers blamed Health Minister Lal Singh for the mess and non-availability of doctors at Primary Health Center. "He (Minister) is incompetent. It astonishes that in this 2ist century we have to fight for the medical care facilities. We apprised Chief Medical officer many a time about the issue but he continues to ignore our pleas," they said.
Chief Medical Officer Anantnag, Dr Fazil Kochak was not available for a comment as he avoided repeated phone calls. |
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