Hajin residents enraged over 'absence' of gynecologist at CHC

Bandipora, Mar 15: The residents of Hajin town and it's adjoining villagers are fuming over the "absence" of gynecologist at Community Health Center (CHC) for almost a month in Sonawari division of the north Kashmir's Bandipora district.

The residents have been launching frequent protest in the hospital premises with questioning authorities the specialty is "irregular or absent" for most of the days, which has affected a large population, especially the expecting mothers.

Mohammad Abdullah Lone a distressed attendant from Vijpara Hajin said, "Patients have been suffering a lot due to non availability of doctor”.

"Nobody is listening to us," he added.

The locals said besides Hajin residents, people from Vijpara, Hakbara, Sodunara, Malikpora and other villages were affected.

Notably, the health department had transferred a gynecologist from the hospital to SDH Kupwara nearly a month ago on February 17, the copy of which lies with Greater Kashmir, however, the department as per insiders has failed to find the replacement since then.

"One doctor who was transferred to CHC Hajin on the same date to replace the gynecologist refused to join his duty here," the insider said.

The transfers happened soon after a lady died following some complication after c-section at CHC. In the meanwhile, BMO Hajin in another order was posted incharge BMO Chogul.

"The absence of gynecologist is beyond our understanding," the residents who assembled in the hospital on Saturday, said.

Chief Medical Officer Bandipora (CMO), Rafi Ahmad Salati contradicted the claim saying a replacement gynecologist doctor has "joined the duties at CHC Hajin on permanent basis."

In a March 3 order issued by DHSK, the doctor who is a medical officer DND in obstetrician and gynecology is to be "utilized" at CHC Hajin till further orders or "till the posting/adjustment orders are issued from the administrative department."

The order notes, "utlization of services" of doctor has been made purely in the interest of better patient care."

The insiders however said the arrangement has left a vacuum in Hajin hospital due to "irregularity" in the duty which leaves people "fuming with anger."

They said the theater "has been shut" for atleast ten days as the doctor who is a (DNB) "can't handle surgeries".

He has conveyed to the staff he may be there "temporarily" and being a south Kashmir resident he comes once or twice in a week, they alleged.

One more attendant said that they were told after previous gynecologists’ transfer, "no one accepts to perform duties at this hospital. The issue has created frustration among patients."