Budgam, Apr 22: The differently-abled persons coming from far-flung areas of central Kashmir’s Budgam district allege that they are being compelled to visit the Chief Medical Office (CMO) unnecessarily by the officials here.
A group of differently-abled persons told ‘Kashmir Images’ that every Saturday, dozens of impaired persons visit the CMO Budgam for getting a disability certificate issued from the Medical Board here. “We come here after travelling at least 40 to 50 Kms for a disability certificate, but the officials here are causing unnecessary delay in issuing the same.”
They said that officials mistreat them on regular basis. “We are being pushed and treated very badly here. They (officials) force us to stand in a queue while ignoring our impairment,” said Haseena, a physically-challenged woman.
Father of a differently-abled boy, who has been visiting the CMO to renew the certificate of his impaired son, said, “I along with my son come here regularly, but every time I am told to come here on next Saturday for getting the certificate renewed.”
So many other differently-abled persons had a similar ordeal to narrate.
Bashir Ahmad, an impaired from Mochawa village has also been visiting CMO Budgam since 2017 for getting a disability certificate. “The officials here are not issuing the certificate in my favour and I fail to understand why,” said a visibly sad Ahmad.
“I was asked to visit District Hospital for getting an X-Ray done which would prove my impairment. I went to the hospital but there I was informed that I don’t need an X-Ray. Then again at CMO, I was told to visit SMHS hospital for the same thing,” said Ahmad.
The differently-abled persons complained that there is no accessibility mechanism available for them at the CMO Budgam.
“We are being compelled to sit on the floor here. There is not even a single wheel chair available here,” they said.
When contacted Chief Medical Officer Budgam, Dr Ghulam Mohammad Dar said that he will look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the differently-abled persons have requested the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat to take action against erring officials who are making them to suffer for no valid reasons.
