Ganderbal hospital without ophthalmologist; patients suffer

Ganderbal, Nov 4: The Ophthalmology Department at District Hospital Ganderbal has been almost non-functional due to the non-availability of any specialist ophthalmologist, who was transferred by the Health Department a few months ago.

The non-availability of any eye specialist has created a void in essential eye care services in Ganderbal, leaving patients in distress.

Locals said that the non-availability of any ophthalmologist had hindered the smooth functioning of the Ophthalmology Department, causing a backlog of pending work and impacting overall patient care.

Locals complained that they have to visit Srinagar or private clinics for eye treatment and most of the patients are unable to afford the treatment at private clinics, leaving them in distress.

Official sources said that several eye surgeries, mostly for cataracts, have been deferred at District Hospital Ganderbal for the past four months as the lone ophthalmologist consultant was transferred, leaving the patients to fend for themselves.

“Non-availability of an ophthalmologist is forcing the patients to travel to Srinagar hospitals and private clinics for treatment. Many poor patients are unable to afford surgeries at private clinics and have been waiting to avail the services of a consultant,” said Farooq Ganderbali, a social activist.

Abdul Rashid, a local, said, “I made several visits to the hospital but every time returned dejected. The doctor was transferred to some other hospital around four months ago. The authorities should have sent a replacement to fill the vacancy.”

Incharge Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Ganderbal, Dr Nighat told Greater Kashmir that the hospital was without any eye specialist for the last several months.

She said that they had already informed the higher authorities in this regard.

“The ophthalmologist was transferred a few months back due to which eye care services at the hospital are unavailable as of now,” Dr Nighat said. “The higher authorities were communicated about the issue and they have assured positively about it.”

She said that they were planning to hold an eye-care camp where the patients in urgent need would be provided treatment by the eye specialist at Trauma Hospital Kangan.