Residents Renew Demand for Reopening of Government Hospital Damhal; Health Department Forms Committee

Arif Rashid

Anantnag, June 17: Residents of Damhal Khushipora in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have once again urged the government to intervene in the long-pending issue of Government Hospital Damhal, seeking the restoration of healthcare services at the facility.

In a representation submitted to the Health and Medical Education Department, residents alleged that the hospital has remained closed for years, causing immense hardship to the local population, particularly elderly persons, women, and children who are forced to travel to distant health institutions for treatment.

The petitioners further alleged that the hospital was locked by the wife and son of former MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syed following a dispute concerning the building. The family could not be reached for comment, and their version of events was not immediately available.

According to the representation, the building was donated in 1998 by Peerzada Mohammad Syed in memory of his late wife, Sayeeda Parveen, for the establishment of a healthcare facility for the benefit of local residents.

Speaking to this reporter, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anantnag Dr. Khalid Parvaiz said that the Health Department has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the BMO Achabal to examine the matter. He said the committee is scheduled to hold a meeting on Saturday to assess all aspects of the issue.

The CMO further stated that details regarding the expenditure incurred by the Health Department on the building since its takeover have been sought from the BMO Larnoo office.

“The committee report along with expenditure details will be submitted to higher authorities, who are expected to take a decision on the matter within the next eight to ten days,” the CMO said.

Residents have expressed hope that the committee’s findings will pave the way for an early resolution and the reopening of the hospital, which they say is essential for meeting the healthcare needs of the area.

Meanwhile, locals have appealed to the administration and Health Department to ensure that the issue is resolved expeditiously in the larger public interest.