Kulgam, June 26, KNT: A shortage of intravenous antibiotic infusions at several Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Kulgam district has triggered concern among patients, who claim the unavailability of essential medicines is disrupting treatment at a time when seasonal illnesses are on the rise.
People visiting government health facilities said they have been unable to obtain prescribed intravenous antibiotics for the past several days. The shortage, they alleged, has coincided with an increase in cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, resulting in greater demand for emergency medication at peripheral healthcare centres.
Attendants said the situation has compelled many families to purchase medicines from private pharmacies, while others have had to travel to higher health institutions for treatment that would ordinarily be available at nearby PHCs. They maintained that the additional expenditure has placed an unexpected financial burden on economically weaker households.
Locals expressed concern that Primary Health Centres, which serve as the first point of medical care for people in rural areas, are struggling to provide basic treatment because of the reported shortage of essential medicines.
Kashmir News Trust attempted to obtain the official version from the Chief Medical Officer, Kulgam, but his mobile phone remained switched off despite repeated attempts.
The affected patients have appealed to the Health Department to immediately replenish medicine stocks at all Primary Health Centres in the district to ensure uninterrupted treatment for patients during the ongoing season of water-borne diseases. [KNT]
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