Srinagar, May 31: The residents of Handwara, a border town in Kupwara, were filled with hope when the Associated Hospital Government Medical College (GMC) started functioning in their area. They believed that this would bring better healthcare facilities to Handwara and its adjoining areas.
However, their hopes were dampened as they discovered that the operation theater (OT) at the hospital shuts down in the evening, causing great inconvenience to the common people.
Scores of attendants and patients have voiced their concerns about the closure of the OT during the evening hours. This situation forces them to either travel outside the district or seek treatment at expensive private clinics, which charge them exorbitant amounts of money. The closure of the OT in the evening has created a significant burden on the residents of Handwara.
In response to these concerns, the Director of Medical, Nursing, and Paramedical Colleges, J&K Dr. Yashpal Sharma, has assured the public that he will speak to the concerned hospital authorities. “Steps will be taken to make the operation theater operational 24×7 in the near future.” Dr. Sharma further added that there are some pending works at the hospital, which will be completed soon. Once these works are finished, the hospital will be shifted to a new building where the theater will operate round the clock.
The local residents, however, are growing increasingly frustrated with the situation. Mohammad Akber, a resident of Rajwar, shared his personal ordeal when his pregnant wife developed labor pain and was referred to GMC Baramulla because the Handwara hospital’s operation theater was not functioning after 5 p.m.
Akber expressed his financial constraints, stating that he had no money to shift his pregnant wife to another hospital. He highlighted that many others like him were facing similar issues on a regular basis. The patients and their families have urged the authorities to intervene and direct the associated hospital in Handwara to make the operation theater operational round the clock.
Patients and attendants also stated the existing building is witnessing stampede-like situations on a regular basis. They urged the administration to shift the hospital to a new hospital building in order to provide better healthcare facilities to the people of this frontier town.
The inhabitants of Handwara also highlighted the fact that, despite having all the necessary facilities and sufficient staff, the closure of the OT after sunset causes significant inconvenience, especially to poor people. They believe that access to healthcare is a fundamental right and should not be restricted due to time limitations.
As the residents continue to struggle with the limited availability of healthcare services during evening hours, they hope that the concerned authorities will expedite the pending work at the hospital and ensure the operation theater functions round the clock. Only then can the people of Handwara and its surrounding areas truly benefit from the establishment of the GMC and receive the quality healthcare they deserve.
