Zaffer Iqbal
Baramulla, May 26: (GNS) Patient care at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Boniyar continues to remain in doldrums as the health facility in the frontier area has over the years failed to cater the patients visiting it for treatment of various dental ailments.
An aggrieved delegation from the area told news agency GNS that despite taking the issue with the authorities concerned on several occasions, nothing significant has been done so far to redress the issue.
Nadeem Ahmad, part of the delegation, said that the center is lacking all the basic equipment and infrastructure to cater patients suffering from dental ailments. “Since no dental facility is available at the health centre, locals are forced to approach private clinics and hospitals at Baramulla and Srinagar,” he said.
Another local ruing the indifference meted out vis-à-vis use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the health facility said that “NHPC authorities supposed to use these (CSR) funds for community welfare also seem to have given up on our pleas.”
A staffer at the hospital, on condition of anonymity, told GNS that the authorities concerned have ‘failed’ to restore the services in the aftermath of 2014 floods. “There are two dental surgeons posted at the health facility, who remain idle throughout the day”, he said adding that despite the issue brought to the attention of authorities nothing has been done over the years.
“The health facility has two special-dental chairs worth five lacs, which developed damages in the aftermath of 2014 floods, ironically even after seven years nothing has been done to replace or repair them”, another local said.
When contacted Dr Parvaiz Masoodi, BMO Boniyar told GNS that he has already taken up the matter with the higher authorities. “Hopefully the issue will be resolved soon,” the official said.
Meanwhile Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Baramulla Dr Deeba Khan said that she has taken up the matter with the Directorate Office. “There has been a delay due to COVID, however we hope the issue will be resolved on a priority basis,” she said. (GNS)
