Mankal block in Langate lacks basic health amenities

View of sub-centre in Mankal Mawar Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara District. —Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
View of sub-centre in Mankal Mawar Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara District. —Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 28: The residents of the far-flung area of Mankal Mawer in north Kashmir’s Handwara today said that the staff at the lone sub-centre in the area remains mostly absent due to which the people are facing immense problems.
The locals said that the 4 persons are deployed at the health centre but none of them is performing their duties due to which the people, in case of any medical emergency, are forced to travel to reach other healthcare facilities.
They said that the sub-centre is operating from rented one-room accommodation and in the absence of the staff, the facility is akin to nothing.
“It is of no use and there remains present only one person who is a peon; he is performing the duties of a doctor as well as other paramedical staff,” the locals said.
People said that they have informed the CMO Kupwara several times but no action has been so far taken on the ground.
The BMO Langate Dr Gowhar while stating that they are facing problems to operate from the current building, assured the issue of staff remaining absent from their duties will be addressed.
He, however, also stated that there is a building that is under construction whose completion would play a great role in the upgradation of the healthcare facilities in the area.
“We have been projecting the need for immediate completion of the building and we are hopeful the same is done soon,” he said.
The locals have appealed to the district administration to take note of the difficulties that they are facing and take measures so that they no longer face hardships for want of the basic health amenities.