WE THE PEOPLE
Pulwama District Hospital in Doldrums, Lacks basic Infrastructural Facilities, Needs utmost Attention
Hence People urge Govt., to Overhaul and Restructure it to meet daily demands of Ailing Lot
By: MNS/ Makhdoomi
Srinagar: In our continued Series on Health Sector in Kashmir valley, we have covered many Hospitals both in Urban and Rural segments so far. In the same process, we have drawn picture of District Hospital Pulwama in our first Part wherein we highlighted several grey facets marring the working of this all important Hospital which is supposed to cater to the Health-- care needs of more than half a million people of South Kashmir District. There are other grey facets marring the functioning of Pulwama District Hospital that demand our immediate attention.
The Referral System of the Hospital is extremely poor as patients are reportedly referred to SKIMS and other City Hospitals due to poor infrastructure and lack of requisite Man-powwer. Even for minor complications, the people of this area have to visit City Hospitals. To worsen the crisis, only a handful of basic tests are conducted in this District Hospital and the infrastructure for conducting complex medical tests is almost non-existent in the Hospital. The patients and their attendants are expressing deep anguish over the poor functioning of this Hospital.
Raees Ahmad, a patient's attendant said, "The Hospital presents a sorry tale as it lags even basic facilities. The referral system in the Hospital is extremely inefficient. Even for minor complication, the doctors in this Hospital direct you to visit the City Hospitals. Only a few basic medical tests are conducted in this Hospital and the rest have to be conducted via private means at hefty prices. The Hospital is literally in shambles and presents a very grim picture. We call upon the authorities to wake up from the deep slumber and address our health care needs. Curbing the rot in this Hospital would be the first major step towards providing better healthcare to the people of Pulwama."
On the other side of the spectrum, the Out-- Patient Department (OPD) Block of Pulwama District Hospital is also marred by chaos and confusion. One can see long lines of patients waiting for their turn outside the OPD Blocks and getting their treatment cards on very few ticket counters.
The allegations of favoritism against Hospital Administration are also widespread in the Pulwama District Hospital.Ghulam Gulzar, a patient said, "The Hospital is marred by negative trends like favoritism. The biggest testimony of this fact is that if you have "influence" then you will not have to wait for your turn for much long time and would be paid a special attention from the concerned doctors. This is a great tragedy of our public health care that favoritism still plays a part in getting you special treatment."
A look at Emergency Block of the Hospital is enough to prove the sick nature of the Pulwama District Hospital. Ironically, the crucial department like Emergency is marred by widespread chaos and offers a bleak outlook in terms of the overall facilities.
After unearthing these grave facts about the working of Pulwama District Hospital, when our Correspondent contacted the Medical Superintend of the Hospital, the said officer strangely told him that "He is not authorized to speak to Media people".
Our survey suggests that this Hospital is by and large in an ailing condition and calls for effective action from the concerned authorities to refurbish the overall scenario in the District Hospital Pulwama towards betterment.
The abject condition of the District Hospital also proves the point that the Hospitals beyond the four walls of City are in utter shambles. This clearly states that overall Rural Health Care of Kashmir is in utter shambles. The authorities should immediately wake up from deep slumber before it is too late.
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