Four rural healthcare centres run from crumbling structures

Four rural healthcare institutions in the Nurpur Medical Block are operating in deteriorating buildings, posing significant risks to both staff and patients, including pregnant women, children and the elderly.

The structures, some of which are decades old, are in a state of disrepair and are at constant risk of collapse due to lack of timely repairs and maintenance.

Official sources indicate that these four institutions, including the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Tika Nagrota and Health Sub Centers (HSCs) at Chowki, Ganoh, and Rinna villages, have been identified as operating in unsafe conditions. In response, the health department has recently written to the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Nurpur division, requesting an inspection of these buildings to assess their safety and determine whether they can continue to house rural health services.

The PHC at Tika Nagrota provides essential healthcare services, including Outpatient Department (OPD) care and the implementation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programs.

Similarly, the HSCs at the three villages are staffed by community health officers and multipurpose health workers, delivering vital services under the NRHM, including maternal and child health, family welfare, immunisation, and symptomatic diagnosis.

Dr Dilwar Singh, Block Medical Officer of Nurpur, stated that after receiving the inspection report from the PWD, it will be forwarded to district health authorities for further action.