Srinagar, Sep 20: In 2009, government inaugurated the “Primary Health Centre (PHC)” at Natipora. But two years on, due to shortage of requisite staff and medical equipments, the facility has failed to achieve its aims and objectives. Not only this, the building is in a dilapidated condition.
 Official sources said for now the PHC is working as nothing more than a Sub-Center, something below the standard in healthcare, of what was committed to the people.

THE CENTRE
 The old building of the PHC Natipora was kept untouched while a new structure was constructed adjacent to it at a cost of around Rs one crore.
 On December 5, 2009 Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma in presence of MLA, Amira Kadal Constituency, Nasir Sogami and Minister of State for Health, Javeed Ahmad Dar inaugurated the facility.
 The centre was thrown open as PHC, which means it should provide healthcare facilities like medical consultation for “routine ailments and diagnostic facilities like X-rays and Sonography.”
 But in reality, the place is hardly providing any services other than immunization and dental check-up.

THE SHORTAGE
 Sources in the directorate of Health said that the centre contains a sole Dental Surgeon, a Lab Technician, two Multi-Purpose Worker (MPW)s, two Sweepers and a Pharmacist.
 Whereas as per standards, officials said the requirement was much more. They said a PHC must have atleast a Male Assistant  Surgeon, a Female Assistant Surgeon, one Dental Surgeon, two Pharmacists, one Dental Technician, one Junior Nurse, one X-Ray Technician, one Lab Technician, one Nursing orderly, two multi-purpose workers, two Sweepers besides the requisite medical equipments.
 This means, the PHC could even do minor surgeries. “But for now this place is not even worth a small diagnostic centre,” said a medico living in the area.
 The Natipora centre doesn’t even have ambulance of its own, which could ferry patients in case of emergency.

LOCALS AGHAST
 The Natipora locals alleged that in the name of offering PHC, the government deceived them.
 “The centre was inaugurated as a Primary Health Centre but it is still working as a sub centre and lacks the required infrastructure,” the residents said.
 Ghulam Muhammad a local is all fire over the issue. He said his son was suffering from acute gastroenteritis. “I at once rushed him to the PHC hoping that he would get treated but the staff there couldn’t be of much help and finally we had to rush him to a private nursing home,” the old man added. 
 Even though the locals are all praise for the PHC staff, they said the shortage of resources was affecting its working.
 “The staff is very punctual and disciplined but the facilities are missing,” a delegation of locals said.

NEW BUILDING DILAPIDATED
 Within two years the newly constructed building is in a dilapidated condition as tiles have withered from most of the walls while the Plaster of Paris (POP) too has decayed.
 “It seems that substandard material was used in the construction otherwise how would the building start decaying so fast,” the residents said.
 On the other hand, due to shortage of staff, major portion of the building remains vacant.
 “Had there been adequate staff, the entire building would have been operational,” the insiders said.

OFFICIALS SPEAK
 When contacted Director Health, Dr Saleem ur Rehman said: “It is an unsanctioned health centre. We have recommended to the government to upgrade it and sanction requisite staff and related facilities.”
 “Thereafter, we’ll consider whether it (centre) will work 24X7 or not,” he added.
 The official however admitted staff shortage saying: “We have a limited staff there including a dental surgeon and they are doing their work properly.”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST