Pulwama: With already struggling peripheral healthcare in Kashmir, shortage of infrastructure and manpower at decades-old Sub Health Centre and Family Welfare (SHCFW) Narastan, in Aripal Tehsil of Tral sub district can be termed as the living example of failure of peripheral healthcare system.

Locals said that this health centre was established decades back in a private building but “till date it has not been equipped with adequate facilities like new building, staff and medicines.”

The residents of the area are continuously demanding a full-fledged health care centre in the village and are accusing the government of failing to come up with a comprehensive healthcare policy in order to look into the needs peripheries.

They said that new building for health centre was constructed 7 years back by R&B department with the cost of around 22 lakh, “but till date the building has not been made functional.”

“Seven years back, foundation stone of new health centre was laid in the area by R&B but till date it has not been handed over to the health department,” said  Fazil Ud Din, a local resident, adding that repeated pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

The centre as per locals was functioning from a private building but after the owner of the building expelled the staff from there due to rental issues the health centre has become non functional. “Even for first aid treatment,” we have to travel many miles,” locals alleged.

“Whenever paramedical staff comes here, they treat patients on roadsides” said another resident.

Assistant Executive Engineer R&B Zahoor Ahmad while talking to Kashmir Vision said, “We have already sent estimate to the higher officials regarding the building and after proper repairs, it will be handed over to the health department.”

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