Manpower Shortage, Lack Of Infrastructure Takes Brunt On Patient Care
Srinagar – Despite sharing a huge caseload of patients from various south Kashmir districts, Maternity and Childcare Hospital (MCH) Anantnag is facing acute shortage of staff, leaving the patients in disarray.
While the hospital witnesses a huge rush of patients relating to maternity and child care, it is presently functioning with one Operation Theater, one child care ward and just three ambulances, local news gathering agency, KNS, quoted sources saying.
Hundreds of patients visit the hospital every day, however, has to face severe hardships, which includes sharing of beds by more than one patient almost all the time, the sources added.
Rehana W/o Mohammad Ashraf Khan R/o Keeri Dooru admitted in ward number 4 under MRD number 15609 told KNS that the facilities available in the hospital are not satisfactory. I had to wait for two days for the bed and during this time I was lying on the floor. There is shortage of doctors and nurses and patients dont get enough attention or nursing care, she said.
Tawheeda W/o Riyaz Ahmad Khan R/o Banihal admitted in the hospital under MRD number 15069 also expressed regret for having visited the hospital. There is not enough accommodation. Patients from the various districts visit this hospital and the upgradation is needed for better treatment and care of the patients. Authorities must ensure better sanitation in the hospital as well, she said.
Sources in the hospital told the agency that the hospital does not serve the patients of Anantnag only, but patients from other districts like Pulwama, Shopain and Kulgam also visit the hospital for treatment especially during prenatal and maternity periods.
Despite serving patients from many districts, hospital is having only three ambulances. Many times high risk pregnant patients are not able to avail ambulance facilities resulting I complications or even deaths, they added.
Fareeda W/o Shabir Ahmad Teeli R/o Babapoara, Zainapaora Shopain admitted in ward number 3 MRD number 14959 was in extreme need of ambulance but was refused with the reason that the ambulances has already taken referred out patients to Srinagar hopsitals. Three ambulances for such a large population are not enough. At least four districts are dependent on this hospital, said Fareedas huband.
He said that the space available in the hospital is not enough every time new born babies have to be brought out of the ward at the time of cleaning of the wards.
It is not safe for the new born babies to be brought out of the ward and expose them to cold weather.
The hospital is having 110 beds and one Operation Theater. Sources told KNS that the most of Operation Theater is lacking sufficient infrastructure and manpower. The operation theater is not enough to cater patients from four districts and it has caused many deaths in the past, sources added.
Talking to KNS, medical superintendent, Dr Abdul Majeed Mehraab admitted the lack of infrastructure in the hospital but he was quick to add that the Minister of Health Sham Lal Sharma recently visited the hospital and assured the expansion of the hospital and more infrastructures to the hospital.
There is problem of building but to shift it some where else is the discretion of the government, said Mehraab. No doubt there are at least four districts which are dependent on this hospital but it is not within my jurisdiction to upgrade facilities in the hospital, added Mehraab.
Mehraab said that the patients might have some problems they face due to large rush to the hospital. Authorities have taken cognizance and soon the facilities will be better, added Mehraab. (KNS)
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