Sajid Raina
Baramulla, Oct 6: Residents living along Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir are complaining about the dearth of staff at hospitals in their respective areas, causing immense hardship to people.
Border residents from Gurez, Titwal, Uri and Karnah areas alleged that in absence of the required staff in the hospital at their respective areas, they are forced to visit private clinics or hospitals which are far away from their place. This, according to them, burns a hole in their pockets.
Accusing the government of adopting discriminatory policy towards these areas, they said that several complaints have been submitted by residents regarding the staff shortage in these hospitals to no avail.
At Gurez Valley, due to staff shortage, patients are compelled to visit other hospitals including Bandipora and Srinagar hospitals for treatment. They alleged that the SDH Gurez lacks the entire basic infrastructure required for its smooth functioning.
“There is a lack of a gynaecologist in our hospital with the result women of the area face severe hardships and they are forced to visit Bandipora for treatment,” Abdul Jabar, a local said.
On Monday last, Tehsildar Gurez in an official communiqué to deputy commissioner Bandipora wrote that the OPD room where as per roaster a doctor was to perform duty, was found locked. Four doctors were found absent from the hospital.
Seeking action against the absent doctors, the Tehsildar requested for strict action against them.
Similarly, residents of Teethwal in Karnah alleged that they suffer due to staff crunch at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Teetwal.
They alleged that a digital X-ray plant is available in the hospital but due to non-availability technician it is lying idle. “Due to lack of support staff and equipment, doctors are not in a position to treat patients and are referring them to other hospitals,” Muneer Ahmad, a local said.
Similarly, Uri residents too complained about lack of medical care in their area.
