Karnah, 04 Jul (JKNS): The healthcare sector in the border subdivision of Karnah is facing a severe manpower crisis, significantly affecting the delivery of timely and quality medical services to the local population.
According to available information, 96 posts in the Health Department remain vacant, while 18 healthcare institutions have become completely non-functional, leaving thousands of residents, particularly in remote areas, without access to essential healthcare.
Official figures indicate that the subdivision has a District Hospital, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), New Type PHCs, Sub-Centres, and other medical facilities. However, a severe shortage of healthcare personnel has prevented many of these institutions from functioning at their full capacity.
The vacant positions reportedly include specialist doctors, medical officers, staff nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiographers, and other healthcare workers. As a result, patients are often forced to travel long distances to the District Hospital or other regions even for basic medical treatment.
Sources said that Karnah has a total of 36 healthcare institutions, of which 18 are currently non-functional due to the lack of staff and other operational deficiencies. The situation has particularly affected people living in remote border and hilly villages, where access to healthcare is already limited.
Local residents have urged the government and the Health Department to fill the vacant posts without delay, restore the non-functional health centres, and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Karnah, a strategically important border region, to ensure the availability of quality and timely medical services.
Local public have warned that unless the shortage of healthcare personnel and the closure of health institutions are addressed on an urgent basis, the public health crisis in Karnah could worsen further. They appealed to the government to prioritize the healthcare needs of the region, keeping in view its geographical challenges and the welfare of its residents. (JKNS)
