Amid heavy snowfall, healthcare in the far-flung Loran and Saujiyan areas of Poonch Mandi tehsil has come to a standstill as most of the employees posted in primary health centres of the areas are employed under National Health Mission (NHM) and have been on strike since the past three weeks.
The people from both Loran and Saujiyan, which are under several feet snow presently, said that they hardly find any staff in their primary health centres. “All the doctors in our hospital are employed under the National Health Mission and are on strike. Most of the paramedics are also NHM employees and as a result, the functioning of the hospital has almost come to a standstill,” said one Mohammad Reyaz from Loran.
Similarly, Abdul Rashid, a resident of Saujiyan, said that the primary health centre in Saujiyan wears a deserted look as most of the employees are on strike.
The residents appealed the concerned authorities to ensure that adequate paramedic staff and doctors remain available in their area, keeping the present harsh winter season in mind.
On being contacted by Greater Kashmir, block medical officer, Mandi, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed, confirmed that the healthcare system in both Saujiyan as well as Loran hospital remains affected due to the NHM strike.
He said that all the doctors in both these hospitals are NHM employees and presently some paramedics are running the affairs.