Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 26: The lack of round-the-clock ambulance services at New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), Nowgam in north Kashmir’s Handwara is causing immense trouble to the people living in the adjacent areas, while the hospital lacks the services of a female doctor.
The residents said the in the absence of the service they are facing several issues even as they had an ambulance stationed at the hospital earlier but the same was brought under the 102 service, depriving the area of the same.
Nowgam, a far-flung area which is over 30 km away from Handwara town has a population of over 5000 souls; however, the residents rue the lack of basic healthcare services in the area.
“We had a dedicated ambulance stationed at the hospital, but a year or so ago, the ambulance was taken for the 102 ambulance service with the result, the ambulance does not remain available there with the result, patients who are to be referred or are to be brought to the hospital in case of emergency are facing issues,” Nazir Ahmad, the Sarpanch of the area told Excelsior.
He said that there are only a few doctors are stationed at the hospital even as their number should have been higher to cater to the needs of the residents. “There are only two doctors who are performing their duties, at least we should have 4 doctors keeping in view the population,” he said.
The locals also demanded that a lady doctor should be made available at the NTPHC, Nowgam so that the women living in the area are not made to travel to Handwara in situations where they need such facilities.
When contacted, Block Medical Officer Langate, Dr Gowhar said that the ambulance being part of 102 services can be available for patients at any time. “The ambulance does not necessarily need to be stationed there, they can call 102 and the ambulance will reach their doorsteps,” he said.
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