Srinagar, Mar 22: The shortage of paramedical staff at the associated hospital of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara is taking a toll on patient care, with locals demanding recruitment of staff on a fast-track basis.
Residents of Handwara and its adjoining areas said when the new medical college was announced at District Hospital Handwara they had high hopes that it would improve patient care services in rural and far-off places.
Javid Ahmad, a resident of Handwara said the new medical college was expected to be set up on a “first come first serve basis” to provide specialised treatment at peripheries. “Patients are facing inconveniences due to the lack of paramedical staff. They continue to suffer as the existing ones are overburdened and unable to provide services to all,” he said.
Despite starting the first batch of MBBS students this year, the residents said that the posting of paramedical staff will improve the quality of patient care and benefit people at large.
Mohammad Shaban, another local, said almost all the departments face manpower issues. He expressed concern that the staff meant for operation theatre is often taken to causality, emergency and other areas of the hospital.
“In the times of emergencies, the staff shortage would turn tragic. The shortage of staff is affecting patient care and it is a major issue faced by people,” he said.
The residents of the area also raised the issue of the newly constructed hospital building which is yet to be made functional. They demanded relocation to the new hospital building and cited space constraints in the existing facility.
Dr Yashpal Sharma, Director (Coordination), New Medical Colleges, Jammu & Kashmir said they have sent the requisition of paramedical staff to the higher-ups of JKSSB and the selection is yet to come. “The immediate staff is being recruited for which permission has been given to the concerned authorities of the medical college,” he said.
Regarding the already constructed hospital building which is yet to be handed over to the medical college, Dr Sharma said the hospital is facing some issues due to space constraints.
Officials said the matter regarding the hospital building was recently discussed in two meetings, one chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and another by Chief Secretary. It was directed that the building should be completed on priority and handed over to the medical college soon.
“The faculty has been recruited for the medical college; however, some infrastructure and academic issues are there which would be further improved,” they said.
