The health facility at Kurhama village here which was upgraded to Primary Health Centre (PHC) several years ago lack facilities, much to the inconvenience of locals.
A local said in 2007 the government announced to upgrade a health sub centre to New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC). The foundation stone for the health centre was laid the same year and subsequently the new building was constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs two crore some years ago.
The locals said despite being upgraded the health facility continues to function as the sub-centre. “In reality, only signboard of the health facility was changed. It continues to lack the facilities,” said a resident.
He said no new posts of doctors and paramedic staff, as required for the health center have been created and instead only the staff of the sub centre continues to work at the new health facility.
Sarpanch, Kurhama Ghulam Mohammed said though the new building has been constructed for the health centre, there was no required staff including doctors and paramedics, even as the health center has to cater to a population of around 20,000.
Locals said they have repeatedly taken up the matter with higher authorities, but to no avail. They said a delegation from the village also met Advisor to Leitunent Governor and apprised him about the grievances.
Chief Medical Officer Ganderbal, Dr Mehraj Ahmed Sofi acknowledged that the health facility continues to function as the health sub-centre. “We haven’t been sanctioned any new staff or required infrastructure to run it as Primary Health Centre,” he said. “The health facility is the PHC on papers only.”