Machil residents seek upgradation of health centre

Kupwara, Nov 7: Residents of Machil in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have appealed to the administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to upgrade the existing health centre to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC).

Locals said the current health facility suffers from acute staff shortage and lacks basic diagnostic infrastructure, forcing patients to travel long distances even for minor ailments. “During winters, the area remains cut off under several feet of snow. In medical emergencies, people have to carry patients on their shoulders to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Duddi,” said Sarpanch Machil, Habibullah.

He said only one pharmacist is currently posted at the sub-centre, which is “grossly inadequate” to meet the healthcare needs of the population.

Residents added that though the sub-centre was previously declared a Health and Wellness Centre, the upgradation has remained “limited to paperwork” with no visible improvement on the ground.

They urged the government to address the issue urgently and ensure proper medical staffing and facilities at Machil. “Upgrading the centre would bring huge relief to hundreds of families who suffer due to a lack of accessible healthcare,” residents said.