New hospital building in Handwara awaits funds to alleviate space shortage

Srinagar, July 07: Patients visiting various outpatient departments (OPDs) and the casualty ward at the Associated Hospital GMC Handwara are facing difficulties in receiving treatment and maintaining distance due to severe space shortage on the premises.
According to the patients and attendants, “Numerous rooms and OPDs, including emergency, gynaecological, and other departments, are overcrowded, leaving patients with little choice but to suffer silently.” However, the new hospital building is almost complete and requires additional funds to become functional.
According to locals, the casualty ward of the hospital only has 14 beds, resulting in two patients being adjusted in a single bed. Reyaz Ahmad, a patient at DH Handwara, informed Rising Kashmir that most of the time, the hospital administration combines male and female patients in the same bed.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Suden stated that the Health and Medical Education department is actively pursuing the matter, and she expects the issues to be resolved soon. She also expressed her intention to personally visit the hospital to assess its functioning.
Due to the space shortage, patients admitted to the district hospital, the oldest medical facility in the district, have been experiencing distressing conditions. In the emergency room, there are typically at least two patients sharing a bed at any given time.
Not only do regular patients require care, but they also face discomfort. Handling patients becomes challenging, especially during accidents, deliveries, and other incidents. In simple terms, there is not enough space to accommodate everyone, a doctor at the hospital on the request not to be named told Rising Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Irfan Sultan Pandithpori, the District Development Chairman, informed Rising Kashmir that he raised the issue with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) during a recent meeting. He stated that the LG has assured them of providing adequate funds to make the new hospital building operational. The District Development Chairman expressed hope that the building will be made operational soon.
Meanwhile, the local residents of the area have urged the LG to intervene and provide better healthcare facilities to the people in this region.