Sumbal, Sep 2: Former Chairman of the Municipal Committee Sumbal, Jahangir Ahmad Dar, has urged the government and the Health Department to urgently address the acute shortage of medical and paramedical staff at the NTPH centre in Nowgam Sonauri.
In a statement, Dar said the healthcare centre caters to the medical needs of a population of around 50,000 people and serves as a crucial healthcare facility for residents of the area. However, inadequate staffing has, according to him, severely affected the availability of medical services, leaving residents facing considerable hardships.
Dar said that the absence of a doctor during night hours is a matter of particular concern. He added that during the daytime, only one doctor is reportedly available for a limited duration, with services becoming further constrained after noon.
He said the situation is especially challenging for patients requiring urgent or emergency care, who are often compelled to seek treatment at health facilities in other areas or travel to Srinagar.
Patients should not be forced to undertake long journeys for basic or emergency medical care simply because adequate staff is not available at their local health centre,” Dar said.
He stressed that the purpose of establishing healthcare facilities in rural and semi-urban areas is to ensure timely and accessible treatment close to people’s homes. The absence of doctors and other essential personnel, particularly during night hours, undermines this objective and places an avoidable burden on local residents.
Dar called upon the authorities to conduct an immediate assessment of the staffing position at the Nowgam Sonauri NTPH centre and deploy an adequate number of doctors, nurses, paramedical personnel and other essential staff.
He also sought the implementation of a proper round-the-clock duty roster, including night shifts, so that patients can receive timely medical attention at the centre at all hours.
The former Chairman further urged the administration to review staffing shortages across healthcare facilities in rural areas and fill vacant or inadequate positions on a priority basis.
Dar expressed hope that the Health Department and district administration would take prompt cognizance of the issue and initiate necessary measures to strengthen healthcare delivery at the Nowgam Sonauri NTPH centre.
He reiterated that access to timely medical care is essential for every community and urged the authorities to ensure that the centre is adequately staffed and fully functional 24 hours a day. (CNS)
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