Locals from Chanapora and adjacent areas of Srinagar’s uptown have been demanding that Public Health Centre (PHC) located in Chanapora should not only be upgraded as Sub-District Hospital but also make it functional round the clock.

Public Health Centre (PHC) at Chanapora was constructed over five years ago at an approximate cost of Rs 23 crores. “Despite a good sufficient infrastructure, latest medical equipment and modular operation theatres, it's not fulfilling the needs of the population in and around Chanapora locality,” locals told news agency Kashmir News Trust.

Although it was upgraded with an aim to convert it as a Sub-District Hospital (SDH) but till now it has been functioning as a PHC which caters the patients from morning 10 to 5 in the evening. And now the locals are demanding that it should be upgraded into a full-fledged SDH and should be made functional 24x7 so that it can cater the needs of the needy.

Aijaz Ahmad a resident of Bagh-e-Mehtab said, "Whenever there is a medical emergency patients need to be shifted either to SMHS or SKIMS which is far from our locality. And if PHC Chanapora is upgraded it will not only cater the medical emergencies of locals from Chanapora but also areas like Bagh-e-Mehtab, Nowgam, Natipora, Rawalpora, etc."

He also said that the patient inflow will be reduced in other hospitals of the city.

Another local from Chanapora Basharat Hussain said that they wish that PHC should be made functional round the clock so that in case there is a medical emergency during night a needy patient can be given medical aid promptly without any delay.

Locals sought intervention of authorities particularly Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.