In violation to the Indian Public Health Standard norms, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and the BUMS doctors are handling the outpatient department (OPD) at sub-district hospital Tral.
According to sources, two RBSK/BUMS doctors are handling the OPD of the hospital, where over 400 patients visit on an average every day.
Sources said while the BUMS doctors are posted on night duties, a female gynaecologist (BUMS) is posted in the gyne section of the hospital though the said lady doctor is actually posted at primary health centre Batagund.
A senior doctor at the hospital admitted that due to heavy patient rush, the patient care was compromised. He acknowledged that “incompetent staff is given the task of patient care”.
“We are not able to examine all the patients properly as there is dearth of doctors in the hospital. We need more doctors to run this hospital,” the doctor, who wished not to be named said.
This reporter saw patients in long queues in the corridors of the OPD. “Patients from areas 10-12 km from the hospital come here. But they are being examined by the RBSK doctors. How can a patient with a major problem be treated by an RBSK doctor?” asked a patient.
SDH Tral caters to about 87 villages. The locals complained that due to absence of the adequate number of doctors and paramedic staff, patients were forced to visit private clinics and other hospitals for treatment.
“For a simple ENT problem or eye check up, patients have to either go to Srinagar hospitals or private clinics as the hospital sans ENT doctor and an eye specialist,” said Gulzar Ahmad Wani, who was accompanying his ailing mother in the hospital.
When contacted, principal secretary, health and medical education department, Pawan Kotwal said, “I do not know why RBSK doctors are performing duties at SDH Tral. I will check it and get the issue resolved very soon.”
Regarding dearth of doctors, Kotwal said he will speak to the director concerned to fill up the required posts in the hospital.