Staff shortage at Trehgam hospital in Kupwara hits patient care

Kupwara, Jun 29: Established in 1856 during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh, the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Trehgam area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has always been under staffed and continues to lack adequate healthcare facilities, causing enduring hardships for over sixty villages dependent on this health facility.

The residents said that they were suffering due to the shortage of doctors here, thus affecting its smooth functioning.

The residents said that only one doctor remains present in OPD during day time which does not suffice the need of patients. They said that with the shortage of doctors, patient care is badly hit here. “Due to shortage of doctors people are forced to visit Sub District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara or take private consultation,” Irfan Malik, a local resident told Greater Kashmir. “We have taken up the issue of staff shortage with concerned authorities numerous times but every time we return back with false promises,” he added. The residents said that as Trehgam happens to be the centre for over hundred villages, Maharaja Pratap Singh had rightly set up the health centre here but after the passage of over 150 years, it has not been upgraded to Sub District level.

During a public outreach programme at Dak Bangalow Kupwara, the then Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti had promised us to upgrade the hospital but nothing was done in this regard. The residents have now appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take necessary steps for the upgradation of the hospital so that the hardships being faced by people may end.