Sakeena’s surprise visit to DH Pulwama:  Demand for staff infra upgrade renews

Pulwama, July 28: The demand for upgrading infrastructure and staff strength at District Hospital (DH) Pulwama has intensified following a surprise visit by Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Sunday. During the unannounced visit, the minister highlighted overcrowding in the hospital and took strong note of poor sanitation, warning that such conditions could heighten the risk of infections among patients.Speaking to the media, Itoo said that although 40 doctors are posted at the hospital, only four were present during her visit, even accounting for it being a Sunday. “Doctors need to be held accountable,” she said, hinting at an impending reshuffle in the Health Department. She added that doctors posted at the same place for more than three years would be shifted to improve healthcare delivery.The minister’s remarks triggered widespread public criticism of the hospital’s functioning. While many locals demanded strict accountability, others called for urgent upgradation of both manpower and medical infrastructure.AAP leader Mudasir Hassan called for action against absentee doctors.“The government must fill vacant posts and ensure availability of essential equipment at DH Pulwama,” he said, “Accountability and infrastructure development must go hand-in-hand to improve patient care.” Medical Superintendent DH Pulwama, Dr. Abdul Gani Dar, clarified that the minister found four doctors in the casualty ward, but her remarks should be understood in the right context. “A total of 15 doctors were on duty across various sections of the hospital that day,” he said.He added that aside from four doctors in casualty, there were two in paediatrics and the SNCU, two in the labour room, three in the anaesthesia theatre, one in radiology, and one each in post-operative surgical, gynaecology, and medicine wards. “All departments except OPD were functional,” he said.Few days back MLA  Pulwama, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, described the recent death of a patient from Shit-Parraypora, allegedly due to medical negligence at DH Pulwama as “murder” in a video circulating on social media.He claimed to have raised the issue with the Health Minister and the concerned commissioner, demanding a reshuffle.Dr. Dar said  that an impartial enquiry committee has been formed into the case.“We should refrain from passing judgments until the findings are released,” he said, adding  that undermining the probe process can create mistrust and lead to lawlessness.He noted that transfers and reshuffles are part of administrative policy aimed at rationalizing staff distribution.MLA Rajpora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, also weighed in, saying that concerns over inadequate patient care and doctor absenteeism had been mounting for days. He said he had requested the Health Minister to visit the hospital to assess the situation first-hand. “She came to check attendance and review the sanctioned and vacant posts,” he added.Mir reiterated the NC government’s commitment to equipping the hospital with modern infrastructure and sufficient manpower.“We are determined to bridge the gap in doctor-patient relations to improve overall healthcare services,” he said.Hospital authorities, meanwhile, admitted that the casualty ward suffers from a space crunch and remains overcrowded, particularly on weekends.“Maintaining sanitation in such conditions is a major challenge,” an official said.He said that electric fly-catchers have been installed, but the spraying of insecticides has been discontinued due to potential respiratory complications in sensitive patients. Officials said they have been requesting expansion of the casualty ward for several years.“Though a 40-bed extension was sanctioned and funds were released, the project was never executed, and the funds eventually lapsed,” the officials added.