Suhail Rather
Bandipora, September 20 (KNS) : Residents, patients, and attendants have strongly urged the establishment of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) within the premises of District Hospital Bandipora, citing the urgent need for convenient access to cash and banking services.
Locals highlighted that the absence of an ATM has become a persistent challenge, especially during medical emergencies, when immediate cash transactions are often required for medicines, tests or other urgent needs. Many attendants said they are forced to travel to distant locations in search of an ATM, losing valuable time and adding stress while their patients await treatment.
“Healthcare is not just about doctors and medicines; it is also about ensuring that patients and their families have easy access to basic facilities. In emergencies, every minute counts, and searching for an ATM outside the hospital puts lives at risk,” said Hilal Ahmad an attendant.
Residents pointed out that hospitals in other districts are already equipped with ATMs, while Bandipora continues to lag behind in providing this essential service.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWith the hospital catering to thousands of patients from Bandipora and surrounding areas, the lack of a cash facility represents a significant infrastructure gap.
Civil society members and locals have urged the district administration and Bank authorities to take immediate steps to install an ATM within the hospital premises. They emphasised that this measure would not only ease hardships for patients and attendants but also demonstrate a broader commitment to improving healthcare facilities in the district.
“This is not just a small demand but part of a larger concern for strengthening healthcare services in Bandipora. Ensuring better amenities for patients should be a priority for the authorities,” said a local trader.
The demand has been gaining momentum amid public calls for wider improvements in the healthcare system, with hopes that the authorities will soon address this long-pending requirement.(KNS)