Peerzada Sayeed
Kupwara, Oct 27 (JKNS): Healthcare services in the remote border constituency of Karnah in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have come under renewed scrutiny in which 15 health institutions that are non-functional or facing serious operational difficulties due to staff shortages, lack of infrastructure and the absence of medical personnel.
The communication, addressed to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kupwara, provides details of Sub-Centres (SCs), New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs) and other healthcare facilities across the medical block, highlighting gaps that have affected the availability of basic healthcare services in several localities.
The disclosure comes amid broader concerns over the shortage of medical and paramedical staff in Karnah, where 95 out of 159 sanctioned posts are reportedly vacant.
The manpower crisis has prompted local representatives and residents to demand immediate intervention to restore healthcare services and ensure that facilities in the geographically isolated border area function effectively.
Unofficial Report Lists 15 Affected Health Institutions
According to the unofficial report, several health institutions in Karnah exist only on paper, while others have buildings but lack the staff required to provide services.
The report identifies SCs at Haridal, Phagwan, Sadhpora and Sharthpala as facilities without infrastructure or staff creation, stating that these centres exist only on paper.
At SC Khawarpara, the centre is operating from a rented building but has reportedly remained without staff for several years. Similarly, SC Dhani has a rented building but currently has no staff, following the transfer of the Female Multipurpose Health Worker (FMPHW) appointed under the National Health Mission (NHM) in 2020.
SC Kona Gabra also has rented infrastructure but no staff, following the transfer of the NHM-appointed FMPHW in May 2025. At SC Pathan Gali, infrastructure exists, but the centre is reportedly without staff after the transfer of its NHM-appointed FMPHW in 2019.
The report further states that SC Hajitra has government infrastructure but no staff. The FMPHW appointed under NHM was transferred in 2024, and although her relocation was recently cancelled by the Mission Director, NHM, she had not rejoined the centre at the time of the communication.
NTPHCs Operating Without Doctors
The official communication also highlights serious staffing gaps at three New Type Primary Health Centres.
NTPHC Gundishath is reportedly functioning from a school building. The NHM-appointed FMPHW posted there was transferred, and although her transfer was subsequently revoked, she had not rejoined the institution by the time the report was issued. The facility also has no doctor posted.
At NTPHC Hajinard, the centre is functioning from a rented building. Its NHM-appointed FMPHW was transferred in June 2025, and the institution reportedly continues to operate without a doctor.
NTPHC Shamspora has also been listed as closed after the transfer of its NHM-appointed FMPHW from the block.
The absence of doctors and paramedical personnel at these facilities has raised concerns about the delivery of routine healthcare services, particularly for residents who depend on nearby institutions for basic treatment and initial medical assistance.
Staff Vacancies Affect Sub-Centres
The report also identifies staffing concerns at other healthcare institutions across Karnah.
At MAC Upper Jabri, the communication states that the MPHW posted at the facility died in May 2025 and that no staff member has been available there since then.
SC Dragger is another facility where the NHM-appointed FMPHW was transferred on November 24, 2025, according to the report. SC Naichyan Jab has infrastructure but no staff posted at the centre.
Taken together, the details in the communication point to a combination of infrastructure deficiencies, prolonged staff vacancies and transfers that have left several institutions unable to provide services as expected.
MLA Mirchal Seeks Return of Twelve NHM Employees
Amid the growing concerns, Karnah MLA Javaid Ahmad Mirchal has renewed his demand for the return of nine National Health Mission employees who, according to the issue raised by local representatives, continue to serve outside the area despite the pressing need for personnel in local healthcare institutions.
Mirchal has repeatedly raised the issue, including in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, arguing that employees appointed to strengthen healthcare services in Karnah should be made available to meet the requirements of the constituency.
Residents have questioned the rationale behind keeping personnel posted or attached outside Karnah when several health institutions within the border constituency are struggling to function.
Residents Demand Immediate Intervention
The shortage of healthcare personnel has become a major concern for residents of far-flung villages, where difficult terrain, long distances and geographical isolation make access to hospitals challenging.
The situation is particularly difficult for pregnant women, elderly people, children and patients requiring urgent medical attention. When nearby health centres remain closed or operate without adequate staff, patients are compelled to travel to distant facilities, adding to their financial burden and the time required to obtain treatment.
Residents have urged the Health and Medical Education Department to review staff deployment arrangements, restore the functioning of affected centres and ensure that each institution receives personnel according to its requirements.
They have also called for the provision of essential infrastructure at facilities that currently exist only on paper, stressing that the establishment of a health centre has little practical value unless it is equipped and staffed to serve the local population.
The issue now requires examination by the concerned authorities to determine the necessary administrative and staffing measures for restoring services.
When contacted regarding the broader staff shortage, CMO Kupwara Dr Zaffar Akbar had said that the matter had already been taken up with the higher authorities.
However, residents continue to seek visible action on the ground, particularly the return of essential personnel, filling of vacant posts and restoration of healthcare services in affected villages.
Calls for Time-Bound Measures
The report has renewed demands for a comprehensive review of healthcare infrastructure and staffing across Karnah. Residents have urged the administration to assess the requirements of every affected institution, fill vacant positions, resolve pending staff deployment issues and ensure that health centres are not left non-functional because of avoidable administrative delays.
They have also called for special attention to the healthcare needs of border villages, where geographical isolation makes a dependable local medical system particularly important.
With 15 institutions identified in the official communication as facing different operational shortcomings, and the wider medical block reportedly carrying 95 vacancies out of 159 sanctioned posts, residents are looking to the Health Department for concrete, time-bound measures to strengthen healthcare delivery in Karnah. (JKNS)
