The dearth of doctors at the sub district hospital Tral is affecting the patient care.
Official documents available with Greater Kashmir reveal that the hospital is running without key posts. It has just 13 doctors while as the requirement is for 26.
According to sources despite being the “only health facility” catering to about 105 villages, the hospital is facing shortage of doctors and critical equipment.
Hospital sources said the institution lacks advanced equipment like analysers. It does not have a blood bank. “Even the latest digital X-ray machine at the hospital is lying defunct since a lot of time.”
“The absence of specialist doctors is affecting the healthcare in the hospital. The absence of orthopaedist, ophthalmologist, ENT and fulltime radiologist, takes a toll on the patient care. During night hours a single doctor remains available,” sources said.
A source said after 2012, no eye specialist was deputed to the hospital, although a technician is working here. “Some years ago an eye specialist doctor was transferred from SDH Tral but until now no replacement has been provided,” an official source inside the hospital said.
When this reporter visited the hospital on Thursday at around 11:30 am only four doctors were present to cater to a huge rush of patients.
The patients were waiting in the hospital corridors for their turn but the over-burdened doctors were finding it difficult to look to all the patients.
Locals said in the absence of specialist doctors, the patients are forced to visit private clinics or Srinagar hospitals.
Interestingly, due to lack of adequate staff, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and BUMS doctors handle the Out Patient Department (OPD) in violation of Indian Public Health Standard norms.