Only one doctor is serving more than 21 villages in primary health center (PHC) in Gulzarpora area of Awantipora in Pulwama district.
The only PHC here has a single doctor on duty who is also not punctual, as per the local residents. The health center is in shambles due to lack of doctors and para-medical staff, causing immense problems to the patients. The PHC was supposed to cater to the population of Gulzarpora and its adjoining areas, but it looks more like a chemist shop run in a two storey building.
Local people allege that the PHC has no opening and closing time as it sometimes opens at 12 pm and closes at 2 pm, and also remains closed at night. “The PHC Gulzarpora is PHC only on papers and lacks even the basic facilities of a primary health centre or sub center due to lack of staff,” said Ghulam Ahmad, a local resident, adding that they visit the centre hoping to see a doctor but every time they have to return disappointed. Children and expecting mothers are the worst sufferers. “We are fed up of taking up the matter with the authorities and no one comes forward to help us,” said Ahmad.
Patients continue to throng the health centre despite lack of medicos. Many patients are forced to go to District Hospital (DH) Pulwama, Srinagar hospitals and other private clinics. Local residents questioned the purpose of having a PHC building without doctors. “What for is this PHC if it doesn’t help us in anyway? The staff posted here comes and leaves as per their choice. Last week I went to this hospital with my ailing sister but I was told to take her to District Hospital Pulwama as no doctor was available there,” said another local resident from Takuna village.
The hospital has no manpower to handle serious patients particularly delivery cases. Due to the dearth of doctors in the PHC almost 5-10 cases are every day referred to district hospital Pulwama. People from dozens of adjoining villages accused the successive regimes of ignoring the health centre which caters to thousands of people in the area.
PHC Gulzpora caters to a huge population of Reshipora, Beighpora, Renzipora, Banderpora, Khandaypora and Shaltakuna villages. However, the PHC has failed to meet the expectations of patients due to lack of staff. When contacted, Chief medical officer (CMO) Pulwama, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon assured that he will look into the matter.