Health centre in Machil sector lacks proper staff

The Health centre located in Dappal village, Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, has been grappling with a lack of staff and diagnostic facilities, resulting in significant suffering for a large portion of the population.

Residents reported that although the health centre has been established for a long time, the lack of staff and other essential facilities has made life difficult for locals.

“After repeated pleas to successive administrations, a health centre was sanctioned here, but it has always remained understaffed, causing more than three thousand residents to suffer,” said a local.

“Since our village is several kilometers away from the Primary Health Centre in Duddi, it is crucial to develop the infrastructure at the Dappal health centre to alleviate the hardships faced by the community,” he added.

The residents mentioned that during winters, when Machil experiences 5 to 6 feet of snow, it becomes impossible for them to leave their homes. Reaching Machil is often unattainable, and as a result, several patients have died in the past before they could reach PHC Duddi. They emphasized the need for a gynecologist to be available at Dappal so that women in the area do not face further hardships.

The residents have raised this issue with the concerned officials numerous times but to no avail. They have sought the immediate intervention of LG Manoj Sinha to address their grievances so they can find some relief.

Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kalaroose, Dr. Nazir Ahmad, stated that the health centre is running smoothly but assured that he would take note of the complaints brought to his attention by this correspondent.