Kupwara, Sep 23, KNT: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is mulling to downgrade Devar Health Centre of Kupwara district after it was upgraded in 2018 from PHC to NTPHC.
People in Devar Lolab that falls in Sogam Block are up in arms against Health Department accusing it of misleading Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Locals from Devar Lolab told news agency Kashmir News Trust that Health Centre Devar was upgraded to New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) in 2018.
They said after the up gradation, 16 posts including of doctors and para-medics were created while an X-Ray plant, Ultra Sound and Dental plant were set up. “All equipments needed for an NTPHC were purchased and stored in the hospital while the work on the new hospital building started.”
“All the 16 newly created posts were filled but those who were recruited were attached with different hospitals and health centres. They worked in other centres but drew salaries from NTPHC Devar.”
The locals said that the worst happened when Chief Medical Officer Kupwara wrote to MoHFW that the Devar NTPHC is running in loss and it generates no revenue. “Why patients will visit this NTPHC in absence of doctors and para-medical staff. As the Health Department didn’t depute any staff, patients were forced to visit other health centres,” they said.
Locals further said that it is ironical that Chief Medical Officer Kupwara has informed MoHFW that this Centre was upgraded for political gains.
The NTPHC would have catered a large population but the callous attitude of the Health Department badly hit the locals from Devar, Andarbough, Margi, Dardpora, Muqam, Thandoosa and other adjacent areas. (KNT)
