Skardu Villages: A Struggle for Infrastructure and Healthcare

The villages nestled in the vicinity of Skardu city, in the Pakistan-occupied region of Gilgit-Baltistan, are enduring profound challenges. These communities are grappling with a dearth of essential infrastructure and a shortage of basic amenities, which has plunged them into a vortex of adversity.

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The picturesque village of Sadpara, nestled near Satpara Lake, just a stone’s throw from Skardu district, is facing significant challenges when it comes to its infrastructure. Of particular concern is the absence of a civil dispensary, despite numerous pleas from residents to the authorities. Local media outlet Skardu TV brings to light the ongoing struggle of the villagers, who are deprived of essential services.

While Sadpara boasts stunning natural beauty and is located near the popular tourist destination of Satpara Lake in PoGB, it lacks basic amenities that are crucial for any community. In addition to the absence of a dispensary, the village also struggles with inadequate roads, insufficient infrastructure, and a lack of reliable electricity supply.

The impact of the inadequate medical facilities was tragically highlighted in a recent report by Skardu TV, where it was revealed that two newborn babies in Sadpara lost their lives due to the lack of proper medical care. This has brought to light the urgent need for better healthcare infrastructure in the village.

Villagers have expressed their concerns, stating that the civil dispensary is understaffed and lacks the necessary technical personnel. According to a local resident, there should be three technical staff members, but there is only one person present. The resident also noted the absence of a nurse, medical staff, and even a Lady Health Assistant (LHV), which are essential for providing comprehensive healthcare services.

“There should be nine staff members, but only three show up. Recently, the sole dispensary in the area had to be closed, which unfortunately led to the deaths of two newborn babies due to a lack of proper medical facilities,” the resident added. They appealed to the administration to address these urgent medical concerns and, at the very least, provide an ambulance to Sadpara to mitigate the impact of the lacking infrastructure.

Another local shared their worries about the inconsistent availability of medicine, especially crucial medications. The dispenser’s infrequent visits to the dispensary, often arriving as late as 1 to 3 pm, have further exacerbated the healthcare challenges in Sadpara. These ongoing issues in Gilgit-Baltistan highlight the broader need for improved health facilities and basic services in the region, which has historically faced developmental challenges due to its occupation by Pakistan. (ANI)

Tarah Nguyen