Peerzada Sayeed
KARNAH, November 7: In a significant and much-awaited development for the people of Sub-Division Karnah, 11 Medical Officers have been posted to various healthcare institutions across the remote border subdivision, marking an important step towards strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
The simultaneous posting of 11 doctors is being described as a first for Karnah and is expected to provide some relief to thousands of residents who have long faced difficulties due to the shortage of medical professionals and limited access to healthcare facilities.
According to the official posting list, two Medical Officers, Suhail Shafi and Assim Ghyass, have been posted at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tangdhar, while Shah Tarjuman Ul Haq and Kamraan Arif Mir have been posted at PHC Teetwal.
Similarly, Kousar Mushtaq has been posted at NTPHC Gundishot, Mir Darakshan Abid at NTPHC Chiterkote, Farhat Nazir at PHC Chiterkote, Amir Maqsood Mughal at NTPHC Hajinar, Farrah Nissar at PHC Gabra, Gosia Bashir at NTPHC Kandi, Block Tangdhar, and Bashir Ahmad Mir at NTPHC Shamaspor.
Welcoming the decision, MLA Karnah Javaid Ahmad Mirchal expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Director Health Services Kashmir and all concerned officers for their cooperation and efforts in facilitating the posting of 11 Medical Officers to Karnah.
Chairman Civil Society Karnah, Peerzada Siraj-ud-Din Qureshi, also welcomed the decision and extended his sincere gratitude to the Health Department, district administration, concerned authorities, MLA Karnah Javaid Ahmad Mirchal and the media fraternity of Karnah for their continuous efforts in highlighting the healthcare challenges faced by the people.
The media fraternity of Karnah has also played an important role in bringing the region’s healthcare concerns into the spotlight. Journalists and media professionals from the area have consistently raised the issue of doctor shortages and inadequate healthcare facilities through print media, digital and social media platforms, as well as broadcasts on All India Radio, Radio Kashmir and Shaurbeen.
Through regular news reports, ground stories, public interactions and repeated coverage, the media fraternity has ensured that the genuine concerns and voices of Karnah’s residents reach the concerned authorities and the wider public. Their consistent efforts have helped keep this long-pending public demand alive and brought much-needed attention to the difficulties faced by people living in remote border villages.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Zonal President Karnah Dr. Abbas Wani and PDP General Secretary Karnah Mohammad Hafeez Mir welcomed the posting of 11 Medical Officers but maintained that the decision alone would not resolve the longstanding healthcare crisis in the border subdivision.
They said that the real healthcare challenges of Karnah could only be addressed when the government ensured the availability of qualified specialists at Sub-District Hospital Tangdhar, which caters to a large population spread across geographically difficult and remote border villages.
The leaders particularly stressed the urgent need for a Gynaecologist, Child Specialist, Surgeon and Orthopaedic Specialist at SDH Tangdhar, stating that the absence of these essential specialists forces patients, including pregnant women, children and accident victims, to travel long distances to Kupwara or other hospitals for specialised treatment.
Dr. Abbas Wani and Mohammad Hafeez Mir further alleged that presenting the posting of 11 Medical Officers as a complete solution to Karnah’s healthcare problems would amount to misleading the public and betraying the expectations of the people.
The PDP leaders urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Health Minister Sakina Itoo and Director Health Services Kashmir to personally look into the matter and ensure the immediate posting of specialist doctors at SDH Tangdhar. They also called for adequate medical equipment, diagnostic facilities, essential medicines and sufficient paramedical staff at all healthcare institutions across Karnah. (JKNS)
