Srinagar, Apr 12: The healthcare facilities, especially the maternity services, at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tangdhar in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have been affected due to the non-availability of an anaesthetist.
The residents of Tangdhar said the only hospital in the area has been neglected over the years and they have no option but to travel to Srinagar hospitals for basic surgeries.
Tahir Ahmad, a local resident told Rising Kashmir that an anaesthetist superannuated in 2022 following which the operation theatre in the hospital was defunct for some three months. “However, some doctors were posted there on a rotation basis which ended on March 31,” he said.
“From March 31 to April 12, the operation theatre is again defunct due to the lack of an anaesthetist. Poor patients who can’t afford treatment in Kupwara and Srinagar are referred. Even minor surgeries are not held at the hospital,” he added.
Tahir, whose wife is expecting, said he was asked to shift the patient either to Kupwara or Srinagar before the expected date of delivery on April 17.
“It is very unfortunate. Every day, 10 patients are referred to Srinagar hospitals. Till March, not a single maternity case was referred to Srinagar not even complicated cases,” he said
The lack of anaesthetist has affected healthcare in the rural hospital especially maternity services, taking a toll on pregnant women in the area.
“Even during minor complications and due to the non-availability of resources, the hospital authorities are forced to refer patients to Kupwara Hospital for treatment. The non-availability of facilities has made the life of people tough and troublesome,” he said.
The people of the area have been demanding the infrastructure upgradation of the hospital, as people of this far-flung area have to visit Kupwara or Srinagar for special treatments.
The residents said during the winter period due to the continuous closure of Sadhna Pass the people’s suffering increased manifold adding to the patient woes.
After a huge public outcry, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir on Wednesday issued an order and posted five doctors for the purpose of anaesthesia to run the operation theatre for a period of five months on a rotation basis.
“In the interest of patient care and smooth functioning of OT at SDH Tangdar, Kupwara the doctors are hereby deployed and directed to attend their duties at the SDH,” the order said.
Chief Medical Officer, Kupwara, Dr Muhammd Ramzan Mir said the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has made a temporary arrangement and within six months a permanent anaesthetist would be appointed. He said the issue was the top priority of the department and they have taken up the matter with the concerned authorities.
