Bandipora, July 30 (KNS): District Hospital Bandipora, the principal secondary healthcare facility serving thousands across the district, is facing growing public anger amid serious allegations of administrative failure, staff indiscipline, and a healthcare system that residents claim has been reduced to little more than a referral centre.

 

Patients and attendants allege that once the clock strikes 4:00 PM, specialist healthcare services virtually disappear, leaving seriously ill patients with no option but to travel to Srinagar for treatment. Families say they are forced to arrange transport during emergencies and bear heavy financial expenses for treatment that should have been available within the district.

 

Adding to the concerns, several residents have questioned the absence of consultants after duty hours. According to the allegations, consultants who receive allowances to remain available within a 5-kilometre vicinity for emergency calls are rarely available once their routine duty ends. Families allege that during emergencies, specialist care is often unavailable, resulting in routine referrals instead of treatment at the district hospital.

 

Patients have also raised concerns over emergency infrastructure, alleging that the hospital's oxygen generation plant remains non-functional after 4:00 PM, forcing dependence on oxygen cylinders during emergencies. They have questioned why a critical life-support facility is reportedly not kept operational around the clock.

 

Another serious allegation pertains to patient care after evening hours. According to several attendants and hospital insiders, once senior staff leave for the day, much of the responsibility inside different sections of the hospital is allegedly handled by students, volunteers and interns. Residents argue that while trainees play an important role in learning, critical patient care should remain under the supervision of qualified doctors and trained medical personnel, particularly during emergencies.

 

Questions have also been raised over adherence to official duty hours. While the hospital officially functions from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, several patients alleged that many OPDs begin emptying well before closing time, with doctors and staff reportedly leaving after 3:00 PM, forcing patients who have waited for hours to return without consultation.

 

Several attendants further alleged that the so-called "chai culture" is particularly prevalent in the maternity section.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to them, families of pregnant women are allegedly expected to arrange tea and refreshments for certain hospital staff from the time a woman is taken to the labour room or operation theatre until she is discharged. They alleged that these repeated demands place an unnecessary financial burden on families and deprive patients and attendants of the respectful treatment they deserve in a government healthcare institution.

 

"I was under the impression that government hospitals provide free healthcare," said Irfan, whose wife recently delivered at the hospital. "Instead, I ended up spending more than I would have in a private hospital. From the operating theatre gate until discharge, I kept facing demands that no patient's family should ever have to face."

 

Meanwhile, hospital insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that a section of doctors and other staff members who have remained posted at the hospital for several years often do not comply with directions issued by the Medical Superintendent, weakening administrative control and making enforcement of discipline increasingly difficult. These claims could not be independently verified.

 

Residents say the growing referral culture, alleged early departures from duty, non-availability of consultants during emergencies, the reported closure of the oxygen plant after 4:00 PM, reliance on students, volunteers and interns for patient care during evening hours, alleged exploitation of attendants, and weak administrative oversight have severely eroded public confidence in the district's premier healthcare institution.

 

They have urged the Health and Medical Education Department and the district administration to order an impartial inquiry into the functioning of District Hospital Bandipora, verify the allegations made by patients, attendants and insiders, ensure strict adherence to official duty hours, enforce emergency availability of consultants as per rules, keep essential facilities such as the oxygen generation plant operational round the clock, ensure qualified medical staff remain available for emergency care after duty hours, and restore accountability so that patients receive timely and dignified healthcare within the district instead of being routinely referred to Srinagar. (KNS)