Residents and traders of Kralpora town in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Friday observed a shutdown against shortage of medical officers and specialist doctors at sub district hospital Kralpora.
The locals said that they were facing immense problems due to shortage of doctors.
The hospital receives at least 300 patients in its’ Out Patient Department (OPD)on an average day, according to hospital management.
“A large number of patients including pregnant women are forced to visit the Kupwara hospital for treatment, owing to the shortage of doctors at the Kralpora hospital,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local resident.
Against eight sanctioned posts of medical officers, only one officer is present in the hospital and another attached to Rawathpora hospital, according to health officials.
“Similarly out of six sanctioned posts of medical specialists, a specialist is working in the hospital and an Opthomologist is attached to Kupwara hospital,” Dr. Shafee Mir, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kralpora told Greater Kashmir.
“We have once again recently taken up the issue with Director Health Services Kashmir and minister Health. They have promised to fill the vacancies at the earliest on fast track basis, ” he added.
“I requested MLA Kupwara as well to intervene in public interest and press the higher authorities to address the issue,” the BMO said.