Healthcare crisis grips DH Bandipora due to staff shortage

Srinagar, Nov 24: The District Hospital in Bandipora is facing an acute healthcare crisis, with a staggering 63 out of 141 sanctioned positions, including crucial posts of doctors and paramedical staff, lying vacant. This alarming shortage of medical professionals has left the local healthcare infrastructure strained and ill-equipped to meet the pressing medical needs of the residents.

“Positions of specialised doctors are lying vacant as well,” an official told Greater Kashmir while emphasising the severity of the situation.

The absence of these specialised healthcare professionals has forced patients to travel to city hospitals, often resulting in the loss of the critical golden hour for medical intervention.

“At times, we manage specialised treatment on an internal arrangement basis,” the official stated.

The official highlighted the hospital’s struggle to provide adequate and timely healthcare services. The hospital’s sanctioned strength of three consultant physicians has two vacancies, and out of three surgeon posts, one remains unfilled. Additionally, the hospital lacks an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist as well.

Despite being upgraded from Sub-District Hospital (SDH) to District Hospital (DH) in 2012 and officially functioning as DH since 2019, the hospital’s staff remains inadequate.

“The creation is the same as that of SDH. No new creation was done here. We are confused about whether it is a DH or SDH now. The government only changed the signboard from SDH to DH,” the official lamented.

Crucial posts, such as anesthesia technicians and theater technicians, are also vacant, hindering the hospital’s ability to perform surgeries safely.

“It is not possible to conduct surgery without an anesthesia technician, but the post is vacant,” the official said.

The hospital relies on two contractual workers to manage the responsibilities of Theater Technicians.

The absence of essential staff members extends to night hours, and is also posing a challenge for the hospital’s operations.

The official mentioned a proposal to bring doctors from nearby health and wellness centers to facilitate smooth night operations, but no action has been taken so far.

Furthermore, the hospital lacks vital diagnostic personnel, including a radiologist, sonologist, and X-ray technician.

“The X-ray services are currently managed by an individual with a limited 3 to 6-month course background,” the official said.

Despite assurances from the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) during his recent visit to the district, the problems persist in the hospital.

“He (DHSK) assured that the problem will be solved as he will do pooling of doctors. But the problem still persists here,” the official said.

He said the shuffling of the ophthalmic surgeons has further complicated matters.

“Our ophthalmic surgeon was recently transferred from here and we are yet to receive the replacement,” the official said.

Patients, especially those in need of ophthalmological care, are bearing the brunt of this crisis as the hospital grapples with an insufficient workforce, the official said.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Bandipora, Dr Rafi Ahmad Salati, acknowledged that there are vacant positions at DH Bandipora.

He however said there was no crisis in the hospital. “If there are 100 posts, 75 percent of them are currently filled. The vacant positions include sweepers, peons, paramedical staff, and doctors,” he told Greater Kashmir.

He however pointed out that the hospital is facing shortages in ENT and ophthalmic surgeons, and some senior physician positions are also vacant. “These vacancies have been created because of promotion. The government is aware about the issue and will be resolved soon,” he said.