Kupwara, August 05 (KNS): The sub-district hospital (SDH) Tangdhar, located 80 kilometers away from the district headquarters in Kupwara, has been facing a critical shortage of anesthesia for the past three months.
Despite repeated orders, several doctors have declined to join, resulting in a significant disruption of healthcare services at SDH Tangdhar.
Details available with Kashmir News Service (KNS), states, Mohd Yousuf, who was engaged under NHM, resigned from his position, leaving the hospital without an Anesthetist. Subsequently, Dr. Waseem ud Din, MO (Dip Anesthesia), was appointed to the post on June 13, 2023, but did not take up the assignment. Another Medical Officer, Dr. Rauf Zargar (MD Anesthesia), was posted to SDH Tangdhar on June 16, 2023, but he also did not join.
Furthermore, four more Anesthetists were posted on a rotation basis through order number CMOK/2634-38 dated July 22, 2023, but none of them have reported to the hospital so far.
As a result, numerous patients are being referred to higher centers as Gynecologists and Surgeons are unable to perform surgeries without an Anesthetist.
Raja Waqar Khan, a local resident, expressed concern, stating that they have repeatedly requested authorities to assign an Anesthetist to the hospital for its smooth functioning. However, their pleas seem to be going unheard.
Due to the unavailability of anesthesia at the hospital, no surgical procedures are taking place, compelling patients to travel over 100 km to Kupwara or Srinagar for treatment.
When contacted, CMO Kupwara, Dr. Mohammad Ramzan, confirmed the situation, stating that he has issued orders to fill the vacant Anesthetist position. However, the doctors have refused to join, leading to delays in resolving the issue. He assured that appropriate action will be taken against those who are defying the orders and that an Anesthetist will be posted at SDH Tangdhar soon. (KNS)