Srinagar, Nov 12: Hospitals have always been about patient-care. But for the past two days, Valley’s sole tertiary care hospital –the SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura –is also serving as a “stadium” for the paramilitary CRPF troops –holding a Volleyball tournament exactly next to the Causality Ward.
 On Thursday morning one could hear to the cries of sorts at the SKIMS. While the patients cried in pain, a group of attendants could be heard mourning someone’s death.
 But the cries outside were louder for point gains in the Volleyball court as there was cheering by the spectators –the troops in civvies –over a thousand in number. The tournament stretched from 10: 30 till around 1 PM.
 When this correspondent visited the venue, 49 Battalion CRPF was playing against 162 Battalion at the Inter Battalion Volleyball Tournament. A CPRF official said the event is organized by 158 Battalion stationed at Soura.
  “This is just ridiculous. No hospital has ever been used as a playfield,” lamented a doctor as the noise of the volleyball hindered his examining a patient in the Emergency Ward.
 The area, adjacent to the ward, has been occupied by the CRPF for the past many years to house the paramilitary troops.
 “Till now, they would use the open space for occasional playing but now SKIMS has turned into a stadium,” said a senior medico requesting not to be named.
 “This is disgusting to work in such a din,” he said adding that the noise was harmful for the patients.
 Observers said, even the Dogra rulers were so concerned about the patient-care, that they got Kashmir’s first general hospital, the SMHS established on the banks of Kut Kul canal at Karan Nagar, the then plush and calm area.
 Same had been true for the SKIMS as it came into to being in ‘80s on banks of Aanchar lake on the City outskirts.
 The SKIMS discipline, as per a senior doctor, was so that none was even allowed to chat than to talk of play.
 “During the tenure of Dr Nagpal, SKIMS was a typical example of pin drop silence,” recalled a senior medico.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST