Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 20: Khag tehsil in Budgam district remains without a sub-district hospital, leaving over 60,000 residents across nearly 70 villages reliant on a single Primary Health Centre (PHC), exposing serious gaps in rural healthcare.
Located at the foothills of the Pir Panjal mountains, Khag, a hilly tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir, lies more than 40 kilometres from Srinagar. Its population, spread across villages including Drung, Gugaldara, Suthran, Habber, Shonglipora, Sugin, Poshkar, Dalwash, Surish, Naserpora, Malpora, Sharan, Koker Bagh, Khanpora, Fojipora and Saidwan, is larger than that of several other tehsil headquarters that already have advanced healthcare facilities, residents say.
Currently, the PHC is staffed by just seven doctors. Residents allege it lacks essential infrastructure, diagnostic services, and specialist care. “It is hard to understand how seven doctors can cater to thousands of people across dozens of villages,” a local resident said, adding that patients are routinely referred to Srinagar even for minor ailments.
Ghulam Hassan Malik, a local, criticised the state of healthcare, saying it contradicts the objectives of the National Rural Health Mission, which aims to provide accessible care at the grassroots level. “We are forced to travel long distances for even minor injuries. The authorities seem to have forgotten us,” he said.
The situation worsens during winter, when heavy snowfall cuts off remote villages from the tehsil headquarters. Pregnant women, children, and elderly patients are particularly vulnerable, residents say. “There is no surgeon, gynecologist, pediatrician, orthopedic specialist, or ophthalmologist at the PHC,” Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, another resident, said. He added, “Referring patients to Srinagar is extremely difficult, especially since most families here live below the poverty line. A significant portion of their income is spent just on travel.”
Responding to the concerns, Khan Sahib MLA Saifudin Bhat told Excelsior that the demands of Khag residents are genuine. Bhat said he had already taken up the matter with the Chief Minister Omar Adbullah and the concerned Minister. “I hope that PHC Khag will be upgraded to Sub District Hospital in the upcoming budget session of the Assembly,” he added.
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