Suhail Rather

Bandipora, July 17 (KNS): In just the last 20 hours, at least 18 patients — including seven pregnant women and eleven from the general wards — have been referred from District Hospital (DH) Bandipora to Srinagar hospitals, sparking outrage among locals and patient families who allege gross medical negligence and absence of accountability.

While doctors maintain that the referred cases required specialized care not available at DH Bandipora, patients and attendants argue that many of these cases could have been managed even at Sub Centres or within the district hospital itself.

“Doctors just want to free themselves of responsibility. They prefer to refer patients instead of treating them, even if the cases are manageable,” alleged the attendant of a patient referred late Tuesday night.

Locals blamed the deteriorating condition of the hospital on the lack of supervision, as the facility has been running without a Medical Superintendent for the last 19 days.

Although the Health and Medical Education Department formally appointed a new Medical Superintendent nearly three weeks ago, the appointee has not assumed charge, leaving the hospital without administrative leadership.

In the absence of oversight, doctors are reportedly having a “free run,” with staff complaining of delays in the supply of essential materials, unpaid salaries for June, and growing discontent among employees.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“No one is there to take responsibility. The hospital is in chaos,” said a staff member on the condition of anonymity.

Ambulance data shows that six patients were shifted in the government-run 108 service, while other cases were handled by other drivers even many ambulances were called from blocks. Most of the gynaecology cases could have been managed with basic supervision, say sources familiar with the situation.

Among the refered patients, one preganent lady had a normal delivery at Lal Ded Maternity Hospital Srinagar soon after reaching the hospital. “Here at District Hospital she was told that she had medical complications and hence can’t be handled,” attendant accompanying the lady told Kashmir News Service.
The increasing number of referrals has also placed a burden on Srinagar hospitals, already dealing with high patient loads.

Demanding immediate government intervention, locals urged the Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora to order an independent inquiry into the referrals made in the last 24 hours. “Fixing responsibility is important. Only strict action will send a message to erring staff,” said a local resident.

As the silence from the authorities continues, both patients and healthcare staff await urgent administrative action to restore normalcy in one of north Kashmir’s most critical healthcare facilities.(KNS)