The scarcity of machines and apparatus in the primary health care units adds to people's woes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The health care units lack basic facilities like X-ray and Ultrasonography (USG) machines, compelling the patients to go all the way to Anantnag district to get these medical examinations done.
A resident of Akingam, Mustaq Ahmad, on Monday said that despite the hospital building being good enough and the availability of staff in the hospitals, they are unable to get the basic medical treatment.
"There were a lot of problems in PHC (Public Health Care). There are no machines over here, no USG machine, staffs are enough and even the building is good. But, there is a scarcity of machines over here. Because of this, the people of Srinagar face a lot of difficulties. They have to go all the way to Anantnag, even to get an ordinary medical test done. We request the government to facilitate the hospital with the required machines", said Mustaq.
Another resident, Waseem Ahmad requested the Government to provide the village hospital with adequate medical facilities as early as possible.
"Every patient has to get the tests done. USG is important. Over here, the dental surgeon is very capable. But, he is compelled to make the patient lie on floor while treating him as he has no machinery. The hospital only has a good building and staffs. Whenever a patient comes here, he has to go to Anant Nag for USG and other examinations done. That's why I request the government to provide the hospital with facilities so that the people living nearby Akingam get some relief," he said.
However, a village doctor Saleem informed that the Government has assured them that a lot more are soon to arrive.
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"Time by time, development is taking place over here. Many types of equipment have arrived. We have provided information to our higher authorities about it many a time. So, they have said that they are sending machines, they are working on it and the machines will arrive in a few days. The way many machines have arrived, other machines are also arriving. We have listed X-Ray machine, USG, dental machine. These machines will arrive soon," said Saleem.
The public health care centre in Akingam was established with an aim to provide better health care facilities to the villagers living there. Despite the central government with enormous funding under many health schemes is trying to uplift the health care facilities in the rural areas, a lot more needs to be done.
But unfortunately, the conflicted environment in the valley has forced it to lag behind in development in comparison to most of the states in India.
The residents demand that the state government should generate funds to develop machines and apparatus in the primary health care units to address people's concerns and provide them with speedy medical facilities.