Wajahat Shabir
Early Times Report
Srinagar, May 1: The 50-bed hospital established at Housing Colony Chanapora is waiting up-gradation from primary health center to sub district hospital. The foundation stone of the hospital was laid by former Minister Sham Lal Sharma in presence of the then Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Nasir Aslam Wani on 17th May 2012.
For the last six years, local residents have moved from post to pillar to make sub district hospital fully functional, but all in vain. An amount of Rs 20.5 crore was spent on the establishment of the health facility, the hospital was made functional in 2014, the residents were eager for Sub District Hospital (SDH), but after years of the struggle Primary Health Center (PHC) was made functional instead of SDH.
A four storey building has been constructed for the health facility, but has yet to make it fully functional. It was after protests and repeated meetings with higher authorities, the building was inaugurated.
Altaf Shawl, the President, Colony Committee, said that the construction of the hospital took place during the NC-Congress regime, while the PDP-BJP politicized its inauguration.
"The ministers and bureaucrats would say the inauguration was done by other political party. So we have no reason to intervene. They (officials) delayed the work for one reason or the other. Our committee also met BJP leaders", he added.
Altaf further said that the matter has been taken up with the issue of up- gradation higher authorities, but nothing has happened. "We have come to know that the money was not given to the contractor."
Another resident, Mushtaq Ahmad said: "Residents from adjacent areas including Chadoora, Chanapora, Sanant Nagar, Natipora, Ram Bagh and other vicinity have to visit either SMHS, Rainwari, JVC or SKIMS for emergency and regular checkups. And, if SDH is made functional on time patients do not have to move around too far areas of health facility, this hospital can cater them and save precious lives.
Last year locals urged the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir demanded X-ray plant, functioning of operation theatres, big ambulance, and adequate staff strength as required by the Director Health Service for making hospital functional.
Block Medical Officer Primary Health Center, Chanpora refused to comment stating that we have been told not to talk to media persons.
Chief Medical Officer Srinagar, Dr Talat Jabeen said that funds have been allotted and within two to three month work will commence on the hospital. |
