KNB News Desk
Srinagar 20 September (KNB): A potential threat to health of locals, who are disheartened, as bio-medical waste being dumped adjacent to ‘Khaksar Maqbool Memorial Dispensary’ in Jawahar Nagar area of central Kashmir’s Srinagar district, with no attention from concerning department in the midst of pandemic
As Government puts emphasis on taking precautions and maintaining proper hygiene amid the rising cases of Covid-19 in the City, an illegal dumping site has come up just besides an ‘Ayushman Baharat-Health and Wellness Centre, Jawahar Nagar’, where bio-medical as well as household waste is being discarded.
People from different areas visit the Health Centre for Covid testing, Vaccinations and regular check-ups but at the same time, a few meters away lies infectious wastage, most likely from the dispensary, which raises many questions and points out the incompetence of Department of Health as well as Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
In general and especially amid a pandemic, disposing off Bio-Medical waste, which could be infections/hazardous and have adverse effects to human health and environment, is always marked as top priority by the Government but in this case, has failed the people of the area.
A local, Nazir Ahmad Khan told news agency Kashmir News Bureau, that the concerned officials have neglected the Health Care Centre, which has resulted in its poor condition.
“None of the concerned officials have interest to examine the present situation of the Health and Wellness Centre. It is in an extremely poor condition,” Khan said, adding that Cannabis has grown on its surrounding land, almost a Kanal.
“Drug addicts are now using this spot for their activities during the evening hours, after 4/5 pm,” Khan said.
The Local urged the Lieutenant Governor administration and Department of Health to look into the matter and said, “This could easily be upgraded to a Primary HealthCare Centre and will be of a great help to a lot of people living in the adjacent areas.”
“We appeal to the government to upgrade it to a Primary Health Care Centre and make all the necessary facilities available.”
Moreover, only a single toilet has been constructed at the Health Care Centre, which has remained closed ever since.
The local said, “Since Covid vaccination takes place here, people in hundreds have been visiting the Centre but where shall they pass water?”
He also criticised the name board of the Health Centre as it remains in a rusty condition for years, due to which people can’t even recognise it.
“Will somebody in Department of Health feel ashamed over this total neglect of ‘Khaksaar Maqbool Dispensary’ Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar,” a Srinagarite, had posted on a Social Media platform and added, “Entire 2 kanal of its ground has been turned into a garbage dumping site.”
Pertinent to mention that the residential quarters of Government officials are located adjacent to the Health and Wellness Centre and surprisingly, as per Field Assessment Matrix conducted by SMC, ‘Jawahar Nagar’ secured 6th rank with 269.5 marks obtained out of 300 in the ward wise cleanliness ranking on 15 of September 2021. (KNB)