Budgam, Mar 26: Healthcare services at New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) in Chewdara village of Beerwah tehsil have been severely affected over the past six months following the transfer of its permanent doctor.
Locals allege that the situation arose after Directorate of Health Services Kashmir transferred the lone permanent doctor posted at health centre to District Hospital Pulwama. Since then, the post has remained vacant, with no full-time replacement provided by the health department.
Rameez Ahmad Malik, a resident of Chewdara, said the absence of a permanent doctor has disrupted healthcare services. “The post has been lying vacant for months, and patient care has suffered significantly,” he said.
The NTPHC caters to a population of over 20,000 across at least seven villages, including Chewdara, Wanihuma, Check Dewan, Mirpora, Ohangam, Drager, and Machihuma. Residents say they are now forced to travel several kilometres to seek medical care.
“This is a major health centre and several villages depend entirely on it. Despite government spending on public welfare, people here continue to suffer due to the lack of a doctor,” Zargar said.
Residents pointed out that while nearby Gundipora has a functioning primary health centre with multiple doctors, Chewdara continues to face neglect.
Patients, particularly women and the elderly, said the absence of a doctor has added to their hardships. “We have visited the centre multiple times in recent months, but there is no doctor available,” said a female patient.
In emergencies, the situation becomes even more critical. Locals said the centre is only able to provide basic first aid, forcing patients to rush to Sub-District Hospital Beerwah, Magam, or even hospitals in Srinagar.
“If the government cannot provide a doctor, then it should either take immediate steps or reconsider the functioning of the centre. People are suffering unnecessarily,” said another patient.
Residents have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Deputy Commissioner Budgam, to intervene and address the issue at the earliest.
Health officials said the doctor has been transferred to Pulwama and the post remains vacant. However, doctors from Sub-District Hospital Beerwah are deputed two to three times a week to manage patient care.
