Mobile Medical Teams (MMT) launched by the army and the state government under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) as a part of the comprehensive approach to the border management with focus on socio-economic development including healthcare of remote and inaccessible areas has almost proved to be a failure in Kashmir. Sources said that 13 Mobile Medical Teams (MMT) launched on August 4, 2004 comprising of one ambulance, a doctor, one medical assistant and a driver with sufficient stock of free medicine and medical equipment each supposed to be based in identified remotest areas of valley are catering mainly to the plains where medical facility is already available. "Take the example of Khag Drung (over 80 villages) area in Budgam and Sangarwani and Sedu some 50 kilometers away from Awantipora. They are far away from any benefits of MMTs. These areas are in the list of border areas where the government is supposed to depute these teams," sources said, adding that these teams are not present in hundreds of neglected remotest hilly villages. Sources further added that MMTS meant for Khag and its upper areas are based in Nagam with 53 RR where as this area is just three kilometers away from Chadoora Sub District Hospital (SDH). "Besides Chadoora SDH, there is another equivalent medical facility Community Health Center (CHC) available to these areas at Nagim. MMTs visit Gogjipathri, Bichirpathri, Zudoora, Guso, Seikloo, Sunbanjar and Kandajan," sources added. The MMTs working in Ratnipora, Lajoura, Barus, Kaoil, Pashicl, Padgampora and Jawbiara in Awantipora and Paulwama are supposed to work in Sangarwani and Sedu some 50 kilometers away from Awantipora. Sources said that unless MMTs are assigned under the jurisdiction of local health administration, the programme would never be a success. Thirteen doctors were recruited by the government on consolidation, out of which seven left their jobs, resulting into affecting seven border areas. "Two doctors left there jobs in Awantipora, two from Lolab and one from Kupwara," sources averred. Reports pouring in from various parts of the Valley revealed that some of the drivers of MMTs ambulances indulge in fuel theft besides; the sub standard medicine available have failed the doctors who have to cut a sorry figure in these areas. Sources said that unless MMTs are assigned under the jurisdiction of local health administration, the programme would never be a success. These 13 MMTs were meant for basic diagnosis and treatment of patients. The teams are based on army units located close to bigger centres of population from where they radiate out every day to two to three peripheral villages, though in the plains and easily accessible, to provide healthcare. In the first phase of the launch, seven teams were launched by the army on February 1, 2004, at Tangdhar, Keran, Macchal, Rampur and Gurez (Tilel). Almost 75,000 population of border area villages were supposed to be covered in the first phase. On August 4, 2004, seven more MMTs were launched for covering the areas of Khag, Rihom, Zachaldor, Sogam, Karalpura and Tilel with a target to cover some 80,000 population residing in these areas. The Army provides free boarding and lodging for the staff of MMTs and meets 50 per cent of the expenditure incurred on distribution of medicines. Army is also providing fuel and servicing facility for all the ambulance vehicles. The director health Kashmir Dr Muzaffar when contacted said that his department has already raised objections and conveyed to the army that the purpose of these MMTs would die down if they continue to remain in accessible places and not in the border areas where they are supposed to be.