Key surgeries remain suspended at DH Bandipora in absence of doctors

Bandipora, Sep 19: District Hospital (DH) Bandipora in north Kashmir is in a "crisis-like situation" as surgeries have been stalled in the absence of doctors for almost a month.

The impact has been visible ever since the Director of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) ordered transfers of doctors and technicians almost a month ago.

Insiders privy to the issue informed Greater Kashmir that surgeries like cholecystectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, and other procedures are not being performed for at least a month at the hospital, which has given rise to a "crisis" like situation.

The authorities have agreed that "very limited" surgeries have been conducted while also admitting transfers of surgeons have impacted the department.

Greater Kashmir learned the impact is also because a doctor in the surgery department transferred to the hospital has a specialty in pediatric surgery; even though "more qualified", he does not have a "hold on adult surgeries" while one more doctor has been on leave for twenty days for "personal" reasons.

Notably, one local surgeon, Dr Ishfaq, who has been transferred from the hospital, is being cited as one of the reasons for surgeries being "delayed".

"No doubt, the transfer of Dr Ishfaq has impacted the department," Medical Superintendent of DH Bandipora, Mohammad Shafi Koka, told Greater Kashmir.

He, however, added the surgeon on leave will be joining in a few days, which will resolve the issue, besides the pediatrician surgeon, who will also take up cases as they pour in.

Despite the assurance, insiders cast doubt about the functionality of the department sharing a single doctor can not handle the load as the department has a record of performing as much as sixty surgeries in a month, adding the pediatric surgery cases are limited in number.

To add to this, in a month, two pregnant women delivered babies on the "road" despite the hospital administration's claim the department was functioning to the best of its capability.

One source said a woman was turned away and told to come back after some days and on the way home, she delivered a child.

Another lady delivered a baby in an ambulance. After the hue and cry raised by the insiders, the Medical Superintendent initiated an inquiry in the incident, promising tough action when the lapse is established.