Century-old Trehgam PHC battles severe staff shortage, residents demand upgradation

Kupwara, Nov 27: The Primary Health Centre (PHC) Trehgam, one of the oldest health institutions in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, continues to grapple with severe staff shortage and inadequate medical facilities, leaving nearly sixty villages dependent on it without proper healthcare.

Established in 1856 during the rule of Maharaja Pratap Singh, the PHC remains stuck in the past, with residents saying the facility has not seen meaningful development despite catering to a large population. Locals said the chronic shortage of doctors is crippling patient care.

Residents said only a single doctor handles the Outpatient Department (OPD) during the day, a situation they describe as highly insufficient for the patient load. With limited staff, they said patients are often compelled to travel to Sub District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara or seek costly private consultations.

“We have raised this issue many times with the authorities, but each time we return with assurances that never materialise,” said Irfan Malik, a local.

Locals said Trehgam was chosen as a healthcare centre more than 150 years ago because it lies at the heart of over a hundred villages. However, despite its strategic importance, successive governments have failed to upgrade it to a Sub-District Hospital.

“During a public outreach programme at Dak Bungalow Kupwara, the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had promised to upgrade the facility, but nothing has been done so far,” Irfan Malik added.

People of the area have now appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure the upgradation of PHC Trehgam to SDH level so that the long-pending healthcare crisis faced by the region can finally be addressed.