Kulgam, Dec 08: Health Minister Sakina Masood Itoo paid a surprise visit to District Hospital Kulgam on Sunday evening and found three doctors absent from duty and have ordered their suspension for negligence.
During the visit, the Health Minister expressed serious concerns over the state of the hospital. She said that people from remote areas, such as Qazigund and other far-flung regions of Kulgam, rely on the district hospital. She said that the complaints of poor conditions being raised about the hospital were confirmed during her inspection.
“When you enter a hospital, special care must be taken to ensure cleanliness, as it caters to sick and sensitive people,” she said. She expressed disappointment over the unhygienic state of the washrooms, describing them as “unbearable.” She added that even attendants could fall ill due to such conditions.
The Minister said that she was apprised with complaints about the operation theatre (OT) being closed on Sundays. “I spoke to doctors, and they cited a lack of paramedical staff as the reason for keeping the OT closed. People come to this district hospital from remote areas, and in case emergency surgeries are needed at night, transferring the patient to Srinagar or Anantnag can be risky. Immediate care must be provided at DH Kulgam to prevent life-threatening delays,” she said, adding that she would raise the issue with the director in a meeting the next day.
During her inspection, the Minister found several doctors absent despite being listed on the duty roster. She assured action, saying, “This is a district hospital, and it must function efficiently to serve the large number of patients coming from far-off areas.”
“The hospital’s roster showed fewer doctors present. We will check it as for a district hospital that serves numerous villages and that the hospital needs a revamp, and we will address the deficiencies,” she said.
The Minister acknowledged the broader challenges facing healthcare facilities, including overcrowding in Srinagar hospitals due to frequent referrals. “The closure of critical services like the OT at local hospitals increases pressure on facilities in Srinagar, such as SKIMS, SMHS, and LD,” she said.
Masood admitted that healthcare infrastructure had suffered neglect over the past decade, leading to its current state. “These issues cannot be resolved overnight, but we are committed to addressing them. Our government is focused on serving the people, and under the leadership of our Chief Minister, we will work to resolve these problems and reach out to those in need,” she assured.
