District Hospital Kulgam only in name, not in service

Kulgam, Dec 9: The District Hospital Kulgam continues to function without a dermatologist and radiologist, while depending on limited anaesthesia support arranged temporarily, leaving crucial diagnostic and speciality services severely restricted despite the hospital being upgraded 17 years ago.

Officials said the facility, upgraded from Sub-District Hospital (SDH) to District Hospital (DH) in 2007, still operates on nearly the same staff pattern. “Only the name changed, the staff strength remains the same,” a senior health official said.

The sanctioned consultant posts of Dermatology and Radiology are vacant.

A consultant dermatologist was recently shifted to SDH Damhal Hanjipora. “DH Pora already had one dermatologist; now there are two,” a medic said.

Though the hospital is equipped with CT scan and ultrasound facilities, the absence of a radiologist has rendered the diagnostic section largely defunct. “Pregnant women often approach private clinics for ultrasounds,” a medic said.

The hospital has no permanent consultant anaesthetist and depends on medical officers and anaesthesia technicians deputed from other medical blocks or health facilities, affecting surgical work.

“Emergency surgeries after 4 p.m. and many accident cases are usually referred to other hospitals.

The hospital has 32 sanctioned doctor posts-13 consultant specialists and 19 medical officers, but several departments are managed by a single consultant or by medical officers on temporary arrangement.

Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics and Psychiatry are among the departments functioning with only one consultant.

ENT and Surgery also operate with limited permanent staff.

No posts for microbiologists or biochemists are sanctioned for the hospital, which doctors say affects infection control and laboratory functions.

The hospital has only one pharmacist at present.

Medics said the shortage of nursing orderlies means casualty is often handled by nursing students.

Limited OT and anaesthesia technicians also restrict surgical and gynaecology services, increasing referrals.

Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Syed Maqbool of the hospital said he will review the staffing shortage. “I have taken over recently and will see what can be done,” he said.