The residents of Magam and adjoining villages have complained about inadequate healthcare and lack of basic diagnostic facilities at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Magam in north Kashmir’s Handwara sub-district. Residents said that the health centre which was established in 1987 has never remained a priority for concerned authorities. “The inadequate staff at PHC Magam has always been a problem due to which patient care has taken a hit. This health centre lacks the basic infrastructure required for its smooth functioning,” Shabir Ahmad, a local resident told Greater Kashmir.
“Only few doctors and paramedics are posted here which does not suffice the need and is telling upon the smooth functioning of the health centre,” he added.
The residents said that due to the lack of most of the diagnostic facilities here, patients usually prefer to move to Government Medical College (GMC) , which tells upon the inhabitants economically because the majority of them belong to the poor class.
Residents said that although they have been pressing for many years for specialised doctors including gynecologist, but to no avail.
Residents demanded that the health centre be shifted to the plain area. They said that since the health centre is located in a hilly area patients don’t prefer to visit the centre. Residents have requested concerned authorities and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone to look into the matter personally and redress their grievances, so that people can heave a sigh of relief.
