Srinagar, Feb 18: Following public outrage, ultrasound (USG) services have resumed at PHC Kalantra, a Rural Training Health Centre (RHTC) under GMC Baramulla official said however, X-ray machines remain dysfunctional and manpower shortage continues to affect patient care.
The suspension of USG service for months had sparked criticism from locals, who had demanded immediate restoration to ensure the continuation of essential diagnostic services for patients.
Notably, the PHC caters to more than two dozen villages. The patients here continue to suffer due to the lack of basic health facilities including x-ray while the hospital also faces manpower shortage.
Dr. Zahid Ali Khan, Associate Professor/Head Department of Community Medicine, GMC Baramulla said USG has been started at the hospital while the issue of X-ray machine would be resolved soon.
“A medical officer has been tasked to do the USG. A gynecologist also visits the hospital twice a week and we have made a roaster for it. We have also sent analyzers there for the diagnostic tests,” he said.
Officials said the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff that had to be filled by health department continue to remain vacant. “We have sent a letter to the health department about the filling of vacant posts but the posts have not been filled,” Khan said.
On February 15, Naib Tehsildar of Kreeri during his visit to the facility had found a pharmacist on night duty prescribing medicines to patients and putting them at risk.
Residents of Kalantra and its surrounding areas said x-ray machine remains non-functional despite requests to GMC Baramulla and Health Department who have turned deaf ears towards the issue.
The hospital caters to villages like Kalantra Payeen, Kalantra Bala, Danmoh, Kakothal, Kachwa, Muqam, Darwa, Mungam, Bandipayeen, Kohlina, Saterseeran, Nagbal, Nambalnar and other adjoining villages.
Locals of these villages said the existing x-ray machine requires a proper backup or transformer facility which has not been done ever since its installment pushing patients to the wall.
Principal GMC Baramulla, Dr. Majid Jehangir, said he has raised the requirement for a transformer for the X-ray machine with the MLA of Wagoora-Kreeri Assembly constituency.
The civil society of Kalantra requested GMC Baramulla and Health Department to depute at least one doctor during night hours which will ease the problems of patients.
Officials have reiterated that the medical college will take up the issue of deficit manpower with the Director Health Services Kashmir.
