Dappal health centre in Machil sector struggles without staff, locals suffer

Kupwara, Oct 19: Residents of Dappal village in the Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district are facing severe difficulties due to a lack of staff and diagnostic facilities at the local health centre, forcing the population to endure hardship in accessing basic healthcare.

Locals told Greater Kashmir that although the health centre has existed for years, chronic understaffing has left more than 3,000 residents without timely medical care.

“After repeated pleas to successive administrations, a health centre was sanctioned here, but it has always remained understaffed,” said a resident.

The village, located several kilometres from the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Duddi, becomes almost inaccessible during winters, when snowfall in Machil can reach five to six feet. Residents said several patients have died in the past because reaching PHC Duddi was impossible under such conditions.

“We urgently need infrastructure improvements and a gynaecologist at Dappal so that women in the area do not face further hardships,” a local added.

Despite repeated complaints to concerned officials, residents say the situation has not improved. They have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for immediate intervention to address the issue and relieve the suffering of the population.

Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kalaroose, Dr Hafeez Ahmad Khan, told Greater Kashmir that the health centre was functioning smoothly, but assured that he would take cognisance of the complaints highlighted by the correspondent.