Kulgam, June 13: The District Hospital (DH) Kulgam has been grappling with a critical issue as its CT scan machine has been lying defunct for the past 40 days, leaving the patients in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
Despite the pressing need for timely diagnosis and treatment, hospital officials seem unaware of the equipment’s repair status, forcing patients to seek alternative options elsewhere.
Amidst the increasing challenges faced by the healthcare system, a patient visiting the hospital was shocked to find the CT scan room door firmly shut and a notice declaring the equipment non-operational.
This has raised questions about the hospital’s ability to provide essential medical services to those in need.
“Unfortunately, the authorities have not yet repaired the machine at the main hospital in Kulgam. As a result, people are compelled to seek alternative options and have their tests conducted at a private clinic,” Mohd Amin, an attendant at the hospital, told Rising Kashmir.
He said the patients who require a CT scan are forced to visit miles to Anantnag district for a test. “The faulty machine is causing problems for the patients who attend the hospital,” he added.
Another attendant said he came to the hospital for a test but the lab was out of service. “I was left with no option but to visit Anantnag, which cost me more than the normal charge,” he said.
Medical Superintendent at DH Kulgam, Dr Gulzar Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that the equipment has become inoperable after developing a malfunction that was previously repaired, and now another problem has arisen.
“We are already coordinating with the company to replace the defunct parts. These parts are to be imported from Japan and may take another week,” he said. “We’re trying to get it operational as soon as possible.”
The Medical Superintendent said the machine requires a component that costs around 40 lakh rupees. “It will be operational by the next week,” he said.
