7-year-old in critical condition after PHC Poskar denies ambulance

Villagers protest for negligence,threaten to lock up the hospital

Wasim Parvez

Budgam 21 August(KNB): The family of seven year old boy was allegedly denied ambulance service by health officials in Poskar Primary Health Centre(PHC) of Khagh area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Friday.

The seven year boy namely Zuhaib Ashraf had reportedly consumed some poisonous substance in a nearby orchard.

Immediately, the minor was shifted to nearby Primary Health Centre Poshkar, where doctors advised them to shift the patient to SDH Magam, but according to family the ambulance service was denied by PHC Poskar.

According to family members, the patient is in critical condition at Srinagar hospital only because the doctors denied to provide ambulance.

However, The family members and villagers stage protest against health officials department for not providing ambulance service to shift the patient from PHC Poskar to SDH Magam.

Family alleged that ambulance was available at PHC Poshkar but was denied on the pretext of non availibity of driver.

One of the family member talking to Kashmir News Bureau said, “When we approach incharge health centre, He said no drivers are available, make a call on 108 .If any untoward happens to the child,the officials will be responsible.

As per the locals two ambulances have been allotted to PHC Khagh with drivers and they were supposed to be here but one ambulace and both drivers have been deployed and attached to Sub District Hospital Khagh. PHC Poshkar is the only centre that caters patients from more than 20 villages.

When KNB contacted BMO Khagh Dr. Idrees said that they should have called toll-free number 108 for ambulance which is available within the 15 kms range. When asked about non availability of drivers for ambulance service he said, “The driver is shifted to Beerwah for Covid duty, I have written to CMO Budgam for sending him back to PHC Poshkar, he has assured me that driver will be sent back to PHC Poshkar within a few days and please ask CMO for the same”.

Despite repeated calls made by Kashmir News Bureau CMO Budgam could not be reached for his comments.(KNB)

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