Health centre serving Rajouri, Reasi sans ambulance

BQ— The chief medical officer has directed the BMO, Kandi, (in Kotranka health block), to provide an ambulance to the serious patients. Kotranka is more than 26 km from Budhal and it takes the ambulance about 2 hours to reach the PHC. Recently, two patients died due to the non-availability of first-aid as they were being shifted to the hospital in a private vehicle — A social activistShyam Sood

Rajouri, March 18

The Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Budhal in Rajouri district provides healthcare facilities to the residents of remote areas in Rajouri and Reasi districts. However, the centre has no ambulance facility for the past more than six months and, as a result, people are facing problems in shifting patients to other hospitals.

Dr Iqbal Malik, Block Medical Officer (BMO), Kandi, admitted that patients and their attendants were facing problems in the absence of an ambulance at Budhal. In case of any emergency, ambulance is sent from Kotranka CHC, he maintained.

But the step is of little help. A social activist said, “The chief medical officer has directed the BMO, Kandi, (in Kotranka health block), to provide an ambulance to the serious patients. Kotranka is more than 26 km from Budhal and it takes the ambulance about 2 hours to reach here”.

Recently, two patients died due to the non-availability of first-aid as they were being shifted to the hospital in a private vehicle, he added.

Waqar Lone, a social and political activist, alleged that the only ambulance available at Budhal PHC was out of service for the past more than two years.

On the demands of area residents, the Health Minister of Mehbooba Mufti government, Bali Bhagat, had provided a critical care ambulance at Budhal in 2018.

“But the ambulance was sent to Jammu for some modification six months ago and has not returned since,” Waqar said.

Meanwhile, residents of Budhal, through Waqar Lone, have approached the chairman of Legal Service Authority (CLSA) against the BMO and CMO.

“A notice has been issued to the BMO and the CMO to appear before the Court on March 31,” Waqar added.

Meanwhile, Dr Sanjeev Puri, CMO, said “The 108 ambulance service will be introduced in the district soon, for which an ambulance from Budhal has been sent for the installation of required machinery. After inauguration of the sevice, the ambulance will be sent to Budhal”.