Aabid Hussain Bhat
Budgam
Patients at the Aga Syed Yousuf memorial District Hospital Budgam are facing immense difficulties due to lack of basic facilities in the hospital. Besides, the inadequate manpower at the ENT section is further adding to their hardships of the patients.
Despite of the fact that the hospital on a daily basis caters to 70-80 patients per day, the sole ENT specialist at the hospital is on leave for the last twenty days, according to the officials who wished not to be named.
The absence of ENT has compelled the patients to get treated at private clinics, momentarily. “Due to the absence of the only ENT specialist, the patients have no option but to travel to city hospitals like SMHS or JVC”.
“Due to the lack of specialist here I have no option either to go Srinagar or to move to a private clinic,” a patient, who was outside the locked ENT OPD, informed Kashmir Life.
Sources in the hospital said that the hospital has also been facing acute shortage of paramedical staff which adds to the difficulties of the patients.
A few patients at the hospital also accused doctors of neglecting their duties.
Besides, the locals are aghast at the doctors and paramedical staff for leaving the duties early.
“The doctors leave the hospital early, while no doctors are usually available after 4 pm. If a patient visits the hospital after 4 pm, he is referred to other hospitals,” a local said.
Despite bringing the issue into the notice of the concerned, the locals claimed that they have failed to initiate any action against the erring doctors.
Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Deeba said, “We have only one ENT specialist who is on leave. However, we had managed a doctor from our staff to look after the ENT patients but they didn’t compromise.”
