Srinagar, May 20: Kashmir’s business community Sunday came down heavily on the state government over the “deteriorating healthcare system” in the Valley which led to death of 380 infants at the GB Pant Hospital here since January this year.
The businessmen expressed strong resentment over the government’s inaction to deal with the alarming situation. “We won’t tolerate such callousness. It is the responsibility of the government to provide quality healthcare to its citizens,” said Muhammad Yaseen Khan, chairman of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of Kashmiri traders, hoteliers and transporters.
 Khan said it is ironical that more than 370 infants have died in five months at the GB Pant Hospital. “This shows how much the government is concerned about the healthcare and well-being of its citizens,” he told Greater Kashmir.  “It is shame on part of the government that it spends crores of rupees on constructing Golf Courses but hardly spends anything on the healthcare. We won’t tolerate it. We don’t pay taxes for the luxuries of ministers and bureaucrats. We pay it for construction of hospitals and roads. But our money is being misused.”
 KEA said it is the moral responsibility of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure that hospitals provide all facilities to poor people of the state.
 “The business community is ready to provide financial assistance for saving precious lives, provided the government uses our money for betterment of the state,” Khan said.
 The President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK), Zahoor Ahmad said: “It is very sad for any state that more than 370 infants have died at GB Pant hospital so far. It shows the dilapidated quality of health care we get in Kashmir. The GB Pant hospital is facing multiple problems which require to be plugged.”
 Chairman, Hotelier’s Club, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya said: “We are very saddened by the loss of infants. Government should wake up and address this grave issue without any delay.”
 Chairman, Houseboat Owner Association, Muhammad Azim Tuman said: “ It seems the GB Pant Hospital has become a  death trap and government is sleeping over it.  Suspending officials won’t help. The Government needs to take action and conduct a thorough probe into the death of infants.”

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 IST