SDH Kupwara struggles with shortage of doctors

Srinagar, Sept 18: Patient care has been severely affected at Sub District Hospital, Kupwara in north Kashmir as it is grappling with a shortage of doctors.
Residents of Kupwara and its adjoining areas said despite being a DNB-accredited Sub District Hospital the patients suffer owing to shortage of specialist doctors.
Showkat Masoodi, a resident, said the hospital faces shortage of specialist doctors like ENT specialist, dermatologist, radiologist, ophthalmologist and doctors in other specialties.
“Patients coming from Kalarus, Sogam, Machil, Chowkibal, Karnah, Keran and other far-off places suffer due to the staff shortage of doctors and coming from these places is very difficult for people especially during the winter months,” he said.
He pointed out that for minor ailments related to ENT, skin, and eyes, patients are being referred to hospitals in Srinagar, which can be financially burdensome for many underprivileged patients. “If all the patients are referred to Srinagar hospitals then what is the purpose of the SDH,” he said.
Showkat said the SDH hospital daily receives some 1,000 patients and alleged that the hospital has faced neglect of the health department despite being a centrally located facility.
“Patients suffer a lot. 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.
The resident also said that many ambulances of the health department in Kupwara are off-road due to lack of maintenance which is also a reason for inconvenience for patients who need the service at crucial times.
“Even the 108 ambulances are often not willing to take the patients to Srinagar hospitals as they said they can only drop patients to Baramulla,” he alleged.
However, Chief Medical Officer, Kupwara, Dr Mohammad Ramazan said that there is no creation of ENT and other posts at the SDH.
“We have taken up the matter with the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir from time to time. We have sent the requisition regarding shortage,” he said.
The CMO said there are 117 posts of doctors vacant including 26 posts of specialist doctors in entire Kupwara district. He also informed that recently some four doctors under NHMJ&K have been posted.
“The government has been sending the doctors here from time to time. It involves a process and it takes time,” he said.