Baramulla: In the wake of the death of a one-year-old child on May 22 due to lack of healthcare facilities, the spotlight has been put on the shortage of medical services in Lachipora village of Boniyar tehsil in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The child’s father, Mohd Rajab Mir, said his son was unwell and died on the way to Baramulla hospital. “We tried to take him to the hospital, but he did not survive. There is a health department sub-centre in our village, but it has remained closed for the past fifteen years. The building is abandoned and used for storing firewood,” he said.
“If we had a functional medical facility in the village, we wouldn’t have had to travel 40 kilometres. He might have survived.”
Following the incident, residents of Lachipora have once again urged the authorities to post medical specialists in the area and revive the hospital.
Locals told Free Press Kashmir that the absence of essential specialists has been causing difficulties, especially for women and children.
“With a population of around 4,000, our village faces healthcare issues on a daily basis,” said Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a resident. “Pregnant women and children have to travel to Baramulla for even basic care. In emergencies or during bad weather, the situation becomes worse.”
Ghulam Qadir Ahangar, another resident, said having a paediatrician in the village would ease the problems families face. “Children are falling sick, and we don’t have anyone to treat them here.”
Residents also said repeated requests to the authorities over the years have not led to any change.
“We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor of JK Manoj Sinha, chief minister Omar Abdullah and the district administration to take note of the issue and post the required doctors in our area,” a local said.
