Follow orders in letter and spirit

The health department of Kashmir recently made it clear that there will be no suspension of the Out-Patient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Department (IPD) at the hospitals until the occupancy of beds cross 50 per cent mark. However, a clear violation has come to the fore at one among the prominent hospitals here where the authorities have suspended the OPD services, thus leaving the people to lurch at large. The people, living close to the hospital as well as the local shopkeepers there also hit the streets to protest against the move of the hospital administration. Such a protest from the locals is ample proof that the people have been pushed to the wall by suspending the crucial and pivotal OPD services at the hospital. Earlier, a report created confusion among the masses, which stated that the OPD services would remain closed at the hospitals in wake of the surge in the Covid cases. But, later the Director Health Services, Kashmir cleared the confusion in this regard. Nonetheless, it seems that the confusion is yet to be cleared even within the department as the different decisions have left the people to face immense hardships. To put an end to contrary decisions, the government should ensure that its orders are followed in letter and spirit and in this regard, should talk to the concerned authorities and ensure the resumption of the OPD services at an earliest.