Handwara, June 21: The government’s recent order of 9 to 5 duty for medical staff in medical colleges is being disregarded at GMC Handwara.
According to patients, the Assistant Professors (APs) of the hospital start their day after 10:30 am and end at 3:30 pm regularly.
The patients alleged that these Assistant Professors are picked up daily from Sopore by a hospital carpenter, arriving at Handwara by 10:30 am and leaving by 3:30 pm for Sopore railway station.
They said the hospital administration is aware of the situation but is not taking any action against those flouting the government order.
Instead of improving healthcare facilities for border residents, the administration is shielding these Assistant Professors, they said.
The locals said that two gynaecological surgeries scheduled for Friday could not proceed due to the unavailability of anaesthetist, despite the presence of other staff.
“The departments like Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, ENT, Orthopedics, and Anesthesia have confirmed Assistant Professors, yet they do not perform night duties, which causes difficulties for patients,” they alleged. “Only two orthopaedics perform night duties, acting as medical officers.”
The hospital reportedly has nearly ten anaesthetists, yet operates as though it only has one, as it did in the past. Previous complaints to the hospital administration have not led to any changes. There are also reports that nurses are paying volunteers Rs 500 to cover their night shifts, which goes unchecked by the administration.
Prof Dr Khursheed, the principal of GMC Handwara, said he would investigate the matter and take strict action if anyone is found involved in these activities.
Residents expressed disappointment, saying they had hoped for better treatment at the health and wellness centre when GMC Handwara was announced. “However, after 3:30 pm, no surgeries occur due to the unavailability of anaesthetists, which forces us to seek costly treatment in other districts or private hospitals,” they said.
