Bandipora, Nov 27: The functioning of district hospital Bandipora has been adversely affected due to inadequate staff, particularly doctors and lack of medical equipments. 
According to sources, despite being upgraded to the level of district hospital in 2007, the government has failed to increase the staff strength and procure relevant machinery for the benefit of patients.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that five posts were lying vacant in the hospital, which include an orthopedicians, B-Grade anesthetist, ENT Specialist and pediatrician. “With number of patients visiting the hospital increasing everyday, the doctors are failing to do justice with their job,” sources said.
 “The posts have been lying vacant for long, but the hospital authorities have failed to refer them to the concerned department for necessary action,” an official in the hospital told Greater Kashmir on the conditions of anonymity.
He said the hospital was devoid of medical equipments including Computed Tomography scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. “The visiting patients have to visit private diagnostic centres for conducting these tests and pay exorbitant money,” the official said.
Besides the lack of equipments, the hospital is suffering due to the deficiency of Endoscope and Laparoscopic technician.
According to the attendants of patients admitted in the hospital, the hospital receives erratic power and water supply. “The attendants have to use lanterns, torches, candles and rechargeable lamps during the night hours when the electricity plays hide and seek,” a local Saleem Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.
When contacted, the Chief Medical Officer Bandipora, Ghulam Muhammad Shaksaz told Greater Kashmir, “We have apprised the higher ups about the vacancies and the matter has been raised in state Assembly also." "We will appoint all the specialists in near future."

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST