Absence of specialist doctors mars healthcare at SDH Kralpora

Kupwara, Jan 6: Lack of specialist doctors at Sub District Hospital (SDH) Kralpora has been a concern for people for a long time and the shortage is putting them through a lot of inconveniences.

The residents have time and again raised the issue of deputing specialist doctors at SDH Kralpora, but to no avail. Due to the shortages, patients prefer to visit Kupwara or Handwara for treatment by travelling a long distance.

Residents said only a few doctors were posted at SDH Kralpora which, according to them, don't suffice the needs of over one lakh people. "We don't have specialist doctors including gynaecologist, ENT, orthopedician, ophthalmologist, paediatrician here due to which we are forced to visit Kupwara or Handwara for treatment. I fail to understand why specialist doctors are not being posted here," President of Traders Federation Kralpora Mohammad Amin Dar told Greater Kashmir.

"After our hospital was upgraded to SDH, we had high hopes of getting improved health care facilities but nothing like that happened ever. This hospital caters to over one lakh," he added.

The residents also complained that although the operation theatre at SDH Kralpora was made functional last year, “not a single surgery was done here due to reasons best known to the concerned authorities.”

Meanwhile Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Trehgam Mir Saifullah acknowledged the hardships being faced by people due to lack of specialist doctors at SDH Kralpora.

He said that the issue has already been taken up with the Health Minister and hopefully soon grievances of people would get redressed.