Srinagar, June 8: Hundreds of patients continue to suffer as the vital trauma theatre in the newly-constructed causality block of SMHS hospital has not been made operational owing to ‘officialdom’ and ‘technical faults’.
 The Casuality block was thrown open to public by Chief Minster Omar Abdullah in April this year. According to officials, the three-storey casualty block came up against Rs 6.94 crores.
 Sources revealed that the newly-constructed emergency trauma theatres are not functional in this block since its inauguration.
 “In the emergency block, the trauma theatre was supposed to be operational along with other wards. However, there is an inordinate delay due to lack of coordination between Surgery, Anesthesia departments and hospital administration,” said a doctor wishing anonymity.
 Several staffers in the trauma centre told Greater Kashmir that they are asked by higher-ups to shift instruments and equipments to the new place, but virtually nothings happen.
 “Even today the officers directed us to shift high pressure steam sterilizer to the trauma theatre but virtually no instrument was shifted,” said a senior official.
 He said it appears that the construction of the theatre is not in accord with the proper theatre design owing to some ‘technical faults’.  “There is no toilet in the theatre premises, causing a great deal inconvenience and trouble to the doctors and other staff members, sources said.
 “There should have been one inch water pipe to autoclave but ½ inch pipe was installed which took time in replacement causing delay. We don’t know even where to place instruments in new block as no appropriate place is earmarked for them,” they added saying ‘these concerns should have been dealt at the time of designing’.
 Principal Government Medical College Srinagar, however, stated that there is lack of manpower and equipments to start this newly constructed theatre.
 “We need equipments and manpower to start this theatre. We are in process of recruiting and its happening,” she said and snapped the call.
 However, a senior doctor in the hospital disclosed that already ‘four tables’ are in place in trauma theatre since two decades with adequate staff and equipments.
 “There is nothing like shortage of staff. At present four tables are running and the staff of the same has to shift from one place to another. However there are five tables in new place but let they start four which has been running for past 20 years,” the doctor wishing anonymity told Greater Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST