Gynaecologist, sonologist posts not sanctioned at CHC Kralgund: CMO Kupwara

Baramulla, July 7: Amid the healthcare crisis in rural areas, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kupwara on Saturday stated that the posts of gynaecologist and sonologist have not been sanctioned at Community Health Centre (CHC) Kralgund in Qaziabad area of district Kupwara.

CMO Kupwara Dr Ramzan has further stated that the New Type Primary Health Centre and PHC Ashpora have been approved as 10-4 services.

The CMO Kupwara has stated this while responding to a story published in Greater Kashmir in its July 6 edition wherein the newspaper has highlighted the crises in the rural healthcare system in Kashmir.

The story has highlighted the lack of adequate doctors and machines in the health care centres.

Greater Kashmir in its story highlighted that CHC has no gynaecologist and sonologist which takes toll on patient care

The CMO has stated that both the posts are not sanctioned. "However, one female medical officer has been deputed at the facility to keep maternal and child health care services available, ensuring the smooth functioning of the facility," he said.

He said that ambulance services are available round the clock. "Among the sanctioned posts of doctors for CHC Kralgund, only one post of Medical Officer under the National Health Mission is currently vacant due to resignation of the doctor, and this has been communicated to higher authorities for recruitment," CMO Kupwara said.

CMO Kupwara has further stated that PHC Ashpora operates 24*7 despite having a "meager staff strength".

"This facility is approved for day-based services (10-04), but to address the problems of the population in the area, it is being run on a 24*7 basis, with staff performing their duties around the clock," CMO Kupwara said.

About NTPHC Cheerkote, CMO Kupwara stated that the facility is approved for day-based services while two medical officers (one male and one female) along with paramedical staff are working there.

The CMO has also stated that the patient flow at this facility is low as compared to other facilities in block Sogam.

"Because CHC Kupwara is only 5-6 kilometers away from NTPHC Cheerkote," he said.

He said that people from the area and its surroundings prefer to get treatment at CHC Kupwara, where specialists are available.

However the locals have complained to Greater Kashmir that they prefer other health care facilities over NTPHC because there are no facilities available at NTPHC Cheerkote.

About the non-availability of an ambulance, CMO Kupwara said that one ambulance which was available has been declared condemned by the department and lifted to SHTO Srinagar one year ago, "following the guidelines".

"Besides that, 108 ambulance services are available across the district, and people can access these services by calling 108," CMO Kupwara said.