Srinagar, May 15: A delegation of Civil Society Forum Kashmir led by prominent doctors, educationists and people from other walks of life on Tuesday met Minister for Medical education R S Chib, Commissioner Health and Principal GMC on the reports of deaths of infants at G B Panth Hospital.
 A CSF statement said the Forum highlighted that in the year 1976 first Children Hospital was established at Hazuribagh adjacent to LD Hospital with 185 beds capacity and population at that point was 30 lakh.
 “In the year 2005 Children hospital was shifted to G.B Panth Hospital but the bed capacity over a period of 36 years instead of increasing to the requirement got declined to 135 only. The inflow of patients has increased to a huge number but infrastructure remains same.”
 The delegation mentioned that district level Hospitals should be strengthened to reduce the referral flow of patients.
 “In the year 2010 Pediatric Department got MCI recognition subjected to sub-speciality and various other improvements and developments in the department, but very less has been attained till date,” the statement said, adding that residential staff hostel facilities are not available which is the basic and important need of any hospital.
 “The lack of hostel facility often results in delayed treatment of patients during odd hours. It was also brought in the notice of Minister that in a Hospital where there is tremendous inflow of patients both in OPD and in House admission, the responsibility and role of HOD and Medical Superintendent have been put on the shoulders of a single person which even is against the rules and regulations of (MCI) Medical Council of India.”
 Further the problems like poor sanitation, poor drainage, lack of ambulance services etc were discussed.
 Responding to the issues, the Minister assured that all the important issues will be addressed.
 The statement added that Chib committed to immediate increase in the number of ventilators in ICUs, increase in the number of beds, improvement in the nursing staff and various other issues. Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Dhar said the basic thing is that doctors on duty should be patient sensitive and should immediately attend to the problems of patients.
 The Minister directed the Secretary Health & Medical Education Department to prepare a proposal for making available one critical care ambulance for both G.B. Pant Hospital and L.D. Hospital in consultation with the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar. “The defense authorities will be approached to acquire the piece of land adjacent to G.B. Pant Hospital for its further expansion,” he said.
 Chib stressed upon the need to carry out surprise check of the Children Hospital by the Medical Education Authorities including the Principal, GMC, Secretary Health and Medical Education to keep a vigil on the functioning of the institution.
 He agreed with the suggestions of the delegation that an Advisory Committee consisting of Civil Society Members, Medical Faculty, and Cantonment Authorities will be constituted in order to advise the Medical Superintendent, G.B. Pant Hospital for its effective functioning.
 Among others, Secretary, Health and Medical Education M. K. Dwevidi, Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Dr. Qazi Masood, Dr. Bilqees Jamila, member of civil society Omar Tramboo, Vijay Dhar were present in the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 IST