Kupwara’s Awathkul Meelyal residents seek better healthcare

Residents of Awathkul Meelyal in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed resentment over the lack of adequate healthcare facilities in the area, saying they are forced to travel several kilometres even during medical emergencies. The residents said successive governments have failed to address their long-pending demand for a health centre despite the area facing particular difficulties during the harsh winter months. “Since we live in a heavy snow-bound area, medical emergencies during winter take a heavy toll on us,” a local resident told Greater Kashmir. With limited public transport available, residents said they are often forced to carry patients on makeshift stretchers to the nearest health facility at Kralpora, around 8 kilometres away. “Most of the time, we have to shoulder our patients on makeshift stretchers to reach the health centre at Kralpora,” another resident said. He said most residents belong to the labour class and cannot easily afford private transport during emergencies. “Hiring a private cab during a medical emergency puts a heavy financial burden on us,” he said. The residents demanded that a health centre be sanctioned for Awathkul Meelyal at the earliest, saying it would provide much-needed relief to the population. They also appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and address their long-pending demand.