Srinagar, Dec 28: In a surprising move which is taking a heavy toll on patients including newborns in freezing cold, authorities at the Kashmir’s lone maternity hospital Lal Ded here operate the heating system intermittently in order to “save fuel.” 
 Highly placed sources said the hospital management has issued a circular directing that radiators will strictly operate from 6 am to 12 pm and 6 pm to 12 am. By this way, the hospital management stops the heating devices for 12 hours in a day causing immense inconvenience to the patients.
 A group of medicos wishing anonymity said the “illogical” decision of the hospital management could have far reaching consequences on health of infants. 
 “Due to switching off radiators, newborns are at risk and they can develop serious complications. In cold conditions, recovery and healing of operated patients gets delayed,” said a medico at the hospital.
 Patients and attendants at the LD hospital said they face inconvenience due to abrupt stopping of radiators.
 “It is ironical that the officials at LD hospital stop heating system in order to earn quick bucks by saving fuel. They don’t even think what would happen to patients who have to survive in bone chilling cold in wards,” said Muhammad Maqbool, an attendant.
 “Some blue-eyed employees in collusion with the management deliberately stop radiators and make frivolous entries in the log book to earn quick money,” sources said.
 When contacted the Medical Superintendent, LD Hospital, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad refuted the allegations. “We have provided proper heating arrangements in the hospital,” Dr Mushtaq claimed. 

Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST