NTPHC Monbal lacks staff, people suffer

Kupwara, Dec 3: The residents of Haril area have expressed strong resentment against lack of staff at New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) Monbal resulting in severe hardships to the inhabitants of over fifty villages.

The hospital which caters to several upper reaches and remote villages including Lahikote, Changdi, Monbal, Bandi, Malikpora, Utroosa, Kelshan, Londa, Haril, Jahama, Sheikhpora and others is lacking staff due to which people suffer a lot.

Residents alleged that the hospital, which was established two decades ago, has never remained a priority for authorities.

“We belong to a heavy snow-bound area and due to accumulation of several feet of snow and lack of specialist doctors at NTPHC Monbal, we are forced to shoulder our patients on makeshift cot by walking several kms to reach Haril, from where we board passenger vehicle to reach Qalamabad or Handwara hospital for treatment”, said Nazir Ahmad War a local from Haril.

Residents said that a dental surgeon used to come to hospital a few days a week but since his transfer his replacement was yet to be made.

Residents complained about the lack of basic facilities like X-ray, ECG and USG which affects the smooth functioning of the hospital.

Residents said that although they have been pressing for many years for specialised doctors including gynecologist but to no avail. “We requested authorities several times to make this hospital functional round the clock but to no avail,” said Salam Din, a local inhabitant.

Residents have requested Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate Shiekh Khursheed to look into the matter so that their sufferings may end and they may feel a sigh of relief.