Kupwara, Nov 7: Residents of Machil in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have appealed to the administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to upgrade the existing health centre to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC).

Locals said the current health facility suffers from acute staff shortage and lacks basic diagnostic infrastructure, forcing patients to travel long distances even for minor ailments. “During winters, the area remains cut off under several feet of snow. In medical emergencies, people have to carry patients on their shoulders to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Duddi,” said Sarpanch Machil, Habibullah.

He said only one pharmacist is currently posted at the sub-centre, which is “grossly inadequate” to meet the healthcare needs of the population.

Residents added th

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