Fuel crisis cripples GMC Baramulla

Baramulla, Aug 11: The functioning of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla has been severely impacted due to a lack of funds for essential fuels like petrol and diesel.

The shortage has disrupted various critical services at the institution, raising concerns among the stakeholders.

The fuel crisis is affecting transportation services, including ambulances, and has also hindered the operation of backup generators crucial for maintaining uninterrupted power supply, especially during frequent power cuts in the area.

On Saturday, following a 24-hour water supply breakdown, the hospital authorities had to face a lot of hardships as the only water tanker available with the GMC authorities could not be utilised for services owing to non-availability of fuel for the water tanker.

Although authorities at the hospital managed some water tankers from the Police and Army, they could not utilise their water tanker for the purpose.

The fuel crisis in the institution has surprised many.

The members of the civil society here expressed anger over the issue and described the situation as unacceptable.

They said that fuel like petrol and diesel is a necessity for the smooth operation of the institution and that there must be some serious intervention from the higher authorities.

“It is a serious issue,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a civil society member. “If GMC authorities do not have fuel for its water tanker then what will happen to the essential services which operate on fuels like diesel.”

The shortage of fuel like diesel is likely to severely hit its essential services.

“Following the non-availability of fuel like diesel, it will be hard for the authorities to run the oxygen plant if there is some electricity problem. The issue can cause some serious problem for the institution,” said a doctor, pleading anonymity.

According to sources, the Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla has a huge old liability of fuel for different petrol stations in the town.

They said that the petrol stations have now refused to supply petrol or diesel to the hospital administration as a result of which various departments of the GMC Baramulla are impacted, especially the Transport Department.

According to sources, the hospital authorities are finding it difficult to run even the ambulances following the fuel crisis.

If the problem persists, the authorities are likely to charge hefty amounts from the patients during referrals.

Chief Accounts Officer, GMC Baramulla, Muhammad Shafi told Greater Kashmir that there is old liability of some fuel stations and the matter had been taken up with the higher authorities.

“We have already constituted a committee regarding the issue and a report has been submitted to the higher authorities,” he said. “The issue will be resolved soon.”