Night inspection of health institutions in Sopore, Rafiabad expose healthcare related problems

Baramulla, Dec 11: A night inspection of health institutions uncovered a plethora of issues plaguing the healthcare system in Sopore and adjoining Rafiabad areas of Baramulla district.

From the shortage of doctors to dysfunctional toilet facilities and inadequate electricity supply, the inspection painted a grim picture of patient care in Sub District Hospital (SDH) Sopore, SDH Dangiwacha, and SDH Rohama Rafiabad.

During the surprise inspection conducted by Additional District Magistrate (ADC) Sopore Shabir Ahmad Raina on Sunday late evening, patients at SDH Sopore lamented that no doctor had attended to them throughout Sunday, with the blood bank closed, and attendants reporting a lack of medical attention from Saturday evening to Monday morning.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, ADC Sopore expressed his dissatisfaction with the overall patient care system, emphasizing that the night inspections were deemed necessary due to these alarming findings.

During the visit to SDH Sopore, attendants in one of the wards complained about the absence of doctors on Sunday, leading to some patients leaving disheartened. The washrooms at SDH Sopore were found to be out of order, prompting ADC Sopore to issue a one-week ultimatum for their repair.

"No Pediatrician was available on Sunday night at SDH Sopore. It is distressing that patients are left without a doctor for 48 hours from Saturday to Monday," ADC Sopore said. The hospital staff revealed that a Pediatrician posted at SDH Sopore also had duties in Pattan and Uri area for two days each week.

SDH Dangiwacha mirrored the situation at SDH Sopore, with the added concern of inadequate electricity facilities and a lack of bed-changing schedules for patients.

ADC Sopore said that no patient was admitted to SDH Dangiwacha during the inspection.

"But there is an urgent need for efficiency improvements in the healthcare system. This was the third inspection in the last six months," he said.

During the inspection, several staff members, including theatre staff, were found absent during the inspection, prompting ADC Sopore to direct the concerned Block Medical Officers (BMOs) to deduct one day's salary for absent employees, with the funds redirected to the District Red Cross Fund.

"I have given strict instructions to the concerned BMO to ensure theatre facilities on weekends and to minimize referral cases to city hospitals. The sanitation and cleanliness in-charge was directed to maintain hospital hygiene during night hours," ADC Sopore said.

He said that concerned BMO was directed to submit an action taken report to the administration within two days.