Dearth of doctors hits patient-care at sub-district hospital Tral

The dearth of doctors and paramedic staff at sub-district hospital (SDH) Tral is affecting healthcare in the town. The hospital caters to about 87 villages in its catchment. 

The locals complained that due to absence of the adequate number of doctors and paramedic staff, “we are forced to visit private clinics and other hospitals for treatment.”

   

Sources said, instead of specialist doctors, it is the BUMS and the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) doctors who treat the patients in Out Patient Department (OPD) of the hospital.

An insider said, “Two RBSK/BUMS doctors are handling the OPD section where more than 300 patients visit every day. While as, the BUMS doctors who are not capable to handle the OPD are posted on night duties.”

A senior doctor at the hospital said there is a huge burden on the medicos which is hampering the patient care. “We are not able to examine all the patients properly as there is dearth of doctors in the hospital. To deal with the patient rush, we have to examine them hastily due to which we are not able to do justice with the patients,” he said.

This reporter saw patients in long queues in the corridors of the OPD. “Patients who travel 10-12 km to reach here are examined by a BUMS doctor. How can a patient with a major problem be treated by a BUMS doctor?” asked a doctor.

Insiders told Greater Kashmir that there is 50 percent dearth of doctors at the hospital in comparison to the staff strength at SDH Pampore. 

“The SDH Tral is running without anesthetist, ophthalmologist, ENT, orthopedist, B-grade general physician, extra pediatrician, MD gynecologist and radiologist,” the sources revealed. 

Locals on the other hand blamed the government for failing to provide required doctors for this hospital. 

The locals said three doctors from the hospital have recently gone for higher studies and no replacement has been provided at their place. More so, there is no ECG technician in the hospital.

“For a simple checkup, we have to take our children either to Srinagar hospitals or private clinics as the sole pediatrician in the hospital is unable to cater to the patient rush,” the locals said. 

“This is the height of official apathy towards the people of Tral,” said Manzoor Ahmed Dhar, who was accompanying his ailing sister in the hospital. 

Locals urged the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and health minister to provide specialist doctors for SDH Tral so that sufferings of the people are mitigated.

The minister of state for health Bali Bhagat and the director health services Kashmir Saleem ur Rehman did not answer the repeated calls from this reporter.

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