Srinagar, Aug 10: Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla has been facing a severe water crisis since Saturday morning after its piped supply was cut off due to sanitation issues. The issue has evoked a huge public outcry.
Attendants said the water supply is cut off from 7 am, which has triggered a crisis-like situation in the largest tertiary care hospital in Baramulla that daily requires 1.75 lakh litres of water.
“The situation has left both patients and attendants struggling to cope, as water is essential for basic hygiene, patient care, and daily operations within the hospital,” said Javid Ahmad, an attendant from Baramulla.
The patients said that without a reliable water source, maintaining cleanliness in wards, operation theatres and other critical areas has become a significant challenge. “Patients are particularly affected as they rely on the hospital for drinking water, sanitation and other essential services. The crisis has created a sense of urgency among the staff, who are doing their best to manage with limited resources, but the strain is evident,” he said.
The admitted patients said that water is essential in the ward toilets and if the situation continues like this it will raise the risk of disease of those recuperating in the wards.
Officials said that as the water supply was cut off, even the water tanker of the hospital was not working due to damage. However, the hospital took water tankers from PHE, army, police and other departments to manage the situation for the day.
“Over the past many days, the petrol pumps in the town do not give us petrol due to the liabilities with the hospital and it has also affected the supply,” said a senior employee.
The officials said there are insufficient funds allocated by the Finance Department for petrol and diesel, which has resulted in tankers being unable to supply water to the hospital.
“There is no dedicated water supply line which has been a demand of the medical college since its establishment and it faces water issues in summer months from June to September,” the officials said. They said the current line is on a public line that comes from the peripheral area and is susceptible to damage.
Officials said that the hospital administration is working to resolve the issue, but the disruption has highlighted the vulnerability of the hospital’s infrastructure. The hospital managed some water tankers but that is not enough.
Medical Superintendent GMC Baramulla Hospital, Dr Parvaiz Masoodi said they have taken up the matter with the PHE Department which has assured them that there would be no interruption in the water supply in future.
“We are meeting the demand with the use of water tankers and are managing things. We appeal to the police and army to help us in the water crisis,” he said.
As per officials, this is not the first time that the GMC has faced a water shortage. “Nearly every summer water shortages affect the medical college leaving patients high and dry. There should be a dedicated water supply line for the hospital,” they said.
Officials said the matter has been brought to the notice of the Secretary to the Government Health and Medical Education Department, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah who is also in touch with the higher-ups of concerned departments to restore water.
