Sopore, Dec 20:  Three years after the Maternity and Childcare Hospital (MCH) was started in this north Kashmir town, it still exists only on papers as government is yet to accord the status of separate health institution to it.
 Residents told Greater Kashmir that just a few days after shifting of Sub District Hospital (SDH)  Sopore to new building in 2008, the separate maternity and childcare hospital was started from the old building of the SDH as per the internal arrangement by directorate of the health services following the public demand.
 “But it is still treated as part of the SDH and is yet to get the status of separate hospital,” locals said. “We approached the concerned officials on number of occasions and apprised them about the difficulties faced by the people and need for granting  status of separate health institution to it, but our pleas fell on deaf ears as nothing has been done in this connection.” 
 According to them, the town deserves a full fledged Maternity and Childcare Hospital  as it is the central point of north Kashmir spread which caters to people coming from  three districts i.e. Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
 Locals said that most of the complicated pregnancy cases from north Kashmir are referred to Lal Ded hospital owing to the non-availability of required staff and infrastructure in the SDH's of the region.
 An official wishing anonymity said, “Running of the MCH has hit the adjoining health centers in Sopore as staff for running it is drawn from these institutions.”
 Chief Medical Officer Baramulla Dr Muhammad Shafi Saraf said, “Owing to the population pressure, there should be a separate MCH for the town to cater to the cases of adjoining areas and districts, but ultimately government has to take decision over it,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST