Chest Disease Hospital relocation holds its breath

Srinagar, Oct 3: Two years ago, as the world was recovering from COVID-19, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced a plan to move the city's main chest disease hospital to a bigger space at GB Panth Hospital at Sonwar.

This news was welcomed by doctors and patients alike, who hoped for better facilities and more room to breathe.

The current chest hospital, located in Dalgate, has been struggling with overcrowding and limited resources. Patients from all over Kashmir come here for treatment, often facing long waits and cramped conditions. The move to GB Panth, with its 250 beds, seemed like the perfect solution.

However, as the seasons changed and two years passed, the hospital remained in its old location. The halls of GB Panth stand empty, waiting for a move that hasn't happened. Doctors and patients are left wondering: why hasn't the shift taken place?

In October 2022, an official order was issued to start the move. But so far, only a few services like the outpatient department and some diagnostic facilities have been shifted. The main hospital, with its wards and emergency services, is still at the old site.

Doctors note that GB Panth needs upgrades, especially in its oxygen supply system, before fully supporting a chest disease hospital. They argue that proper planning is required to make sure patient care isn't disrupted during the move.

As frustration grows, questions are being raised. Is two years, not enough time to move to a hospital? Why was the decision made if the new location wasn't ready? The medical community, once excited about the prospects of a new facility, now finds itself in a state of uncertainty.

In March 2024, Health Secretary Abid Rashid Shah addressed the issue, saying, "We are aware of this problem. I'm confident we will take the necessary steps to ensure patients don't suffer." This statement has given some hope, but many are still waiting to see real action.

The directive, issued in October 2022, came after the Children's Hospital was moved to a new facility in Bemina, leaving GB Pant Hospital vacant.

“Consequent upon the shifting of GB Pant Hospital to the newly-constructed 500-bedded Children Hospital Bemina … a sanction is hereby accorded to the shifting of the entire CD Hospital to GB Pant Hospital, Sonwar, Srinagar after assessing the functionality of all vital aspects by Medical Superintendent, CD Hospital, and HOD Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine, CD Hospital, Srinagar”, read the order issued in October 2022.

However, despite the order, only partial services, including the OPD, X-ray unit, CT Scan, and emergency services, have been shifted to the new location, highlighting its inadequacy as a replacement for a full-fledged Chest Disease Hospital.

Medical professionals have raised alarms about critical shortcomings at the GB Pant location, particularly its limited oxygen capacity. While the existing hospital provides high-flow oxygen at every bed, GB Pant can only generate 500 litres, significantly lower than the required 3500 litres.

Doctors insist that before further relocations are considered, GB Pant Hospital requires substantial infrastructure upgrades to ensure seamless patient care.

However, many doctors argue that the decision was made because the GB hospital is unsuitable for housing chest disease patients.

When contacted for her version on the delay, Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr Iffat, Hassan didn’t mince her words about the reasons for the delay in the relocation of CD Hospital.