Srinagar, Jan 31:Several health facilities in rural areas across Kashmir including sub-district hospitals are facing shortage of specialist doctors affecting the patient care.
The SDH caters to the huge population of Sopore, Bandipora, Baramulla, Handwara, Langate, Kupwara, Baramulla and other far off areas. On a daily basis the centrally located health facility sees footfall of 1,000 patients from different areas.
The healthcare facilities especially maternity services have also been affected due to shortage of doctors in Tangdar, Kupwara despite the region being close to Line of Control.
Residents of Tangdar and its adjoining areas have been voicing their concern over the years but doctors have not been posted there leaving nearly one lakh residents to suffer.
Sadam, a resident, said the 30-bedded SDH has faced neglect over the years and there is shortage of doctors including gynaecologists, child specialists, physicians, surgeons etc.
“Pregnant women are the worst sufferers. When expecting mothers visit the SDH they are referred to Handwara and Srinagar hospitals which is tiresome,” he said.
During winter months, Sadna top remains closed due to snowfall disconnecting Tangdar and people suffer a lot.
Similarly, there is also a shortage of gynaecologists at Community Health Centre (CHC) Dawar, Gurez in Bandipora leaving the expecting mothers to suffer. Patient care has been severely affected at Sub District Hospital, Kupwara which is grappling with shortage of doctors not filled over the years.
Residents of Kupwara and its adjoining areas said that the SDH, a DNB-accredited hospital , suffers owing to shortage of specialist doctors. Residents highlight a scarcity of specialist doctors at the hospital, causing hardships for patients from Kalarus, Sogam, Machil, Chowkibal, Karnah, Keran, and other remote regions.
A resident of Kupwara said for minor ailments patients are referred to Srinagar hospitals which is financially burdensome for many underprivileged patients.
The SDH daily receives some 1,000 patients and with residents alleging that the hospital has faced neglect of the health department despite being a centrally located facility.
“The health department should conduct an inspection and fill the posts so that people don’t suffer. There are some posts which aren’t still created,” he said. Official sources said there are more than 100 posts of doctors including 26 posts of specialist doctors vacant in Kupwara district.
Similarly, people from Baramulla, Tangmarg, Pattan and Magam complained that there is shortage of specialist doctors in the Sub District Hospitals and PHCs hitting patient care.
Health officials said there should be 24/7 maternity and child services at district and sub-district hospitals to limit referrals but that isn’t done owing to inadequate human resources.
As per the official in a district hospital, there should be 5-6 gynaecologists, paediatricians and anaesthesiologists while as a sub-district hospital must have at least four gynaecologists.
“There are some hospitals which are without gynaecologists. It is a major issue patients at peripheries are facing hitting antenatal care,” the official said.
As per the Rural Health Statistics (RHS) report 2021-22 of the Union Health Ministry, there are 620 posts of doctors at PHCs across rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir vacant affecting healthcare services and continues to put an extra burden on tertiary care hospitals.
The report said that at Community Health Centres (CHCs) across JK, 28 posts of surgeons, 24 posts of physicians, 25 posts of physicians and 101 posts of specialist doctors, 210 posts of eye surgeons and 21 posts of anesthetists are also lying vacant.
The pediatric services also remain affected as 25 posts of pediatricians are also vacant at the CHCs in rural areas which compelling people to visit district and tertiary care hospitals.
The maternity services also remain affected due to shortage of doctors. As on March 31 2022, 24 posts of obstetricians and gynaecologists are vacant at CHCs in rural areas.
The lack of healthcare facilities in rural areas is evident by the fact that patients across places are compelled to move to district or sub-district hospitals for treatment of minor ailments.
Dr Mir Mushtaq, spokesperson for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, mentioned that the health department is actively working to improve healthcare services in rural areas.
“We promote institutional deliveries. The C-Section facilities are available in every District and Sub District Hospital and at most of the places these facilities work 24/7,” he said.
Mir mentioned that in certain hospitals, there might be a lack of created positions. “The government is obligated to make arrangements for these areas, and ensuring round-the-clock healthcare services is our top priority,” he added.
