Tale of Two Hospitals
In North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the main two hospitals that every day caters to hundreds of patients side by side are district hospital, Baramulla, now GMC and sub-district hospital (SDH) Sopore. No doubt, the healthcare at both the institutions is always a priority, yet, under close inspection, the tale of these two hospitals is in stark contrast. The centrally located SDH, Sopore is emerging, undoubtedly, at par with district hospital, Baramulla because this hospital has been catering to a huge chunk of population from Kupwara, Handwara, Rafiabad, Bandipora, and even Tangmarg etc. apart from whole Sopore vicinity. Although Sopore’s SDH doesn’t have a vast infrastructure like Baramulla district hospital, yet, it has been seen over the years that patients give more preference to this hospital than going elsewhere.
Great health infrastructure and top doctors are of little use if no healing takes place. The high patient footfall that doesn’t decline with time; isn’t just something to feel proud of, but a grave concern of deterioration (unrecovery) that all of must ponder over. Patients who treat doctors, next to God, must not at any cost be overlooked and neglected in the hospitals. They must rather be taken good care of and shown some compassion. I must not fear to reveal the truth, that in our district hospital, Baramulla, patients have to bear the brunt, quite often. While at sub-district hospital, Sopore, they are not neglected, but a priority. I am currently mothering two kids, and literally speaking, I am satisfied with SDH Sopore where at I never had to bother about anything. During my prepartum (pre-delivery period) I have had to visit district hospital too, for a few gynae checkups, yet, after seeing the patients being inflicted with unnecessary troubles, I finally had to opt for SDH Sopore for my both deliveries where patients are not an afterthought but a main concern. I may say, that at SDH Sopore, patients are not ignored in any manner what though it lacks space. I also can never underestimate the excellent care, advanced equipment, top facilities, best faculty, great infrastructure, etc. of my district hospital at Kantbagh, B’la. Everything is up to-the-mark. Even if there are any loopholes to be plugged out, the hospital administration must be well aware of them.
Literally, the soul target around whom the whole healthcare system revolves is the ‘patient’. What if instead of showing any recovery and improvement in his health, he has to visit hospital every other day, to add to the already high patient load. From fetching tickets to getting various tests done; patients at district hospital have to face plethora of inconveniences which I am myself an eye witness to. I hail the efforts, efficiency and hard work of both, the doctors and paramedical staff at the hospital, yet, there is a dire need to activate the administration and make the health services efficient with the present status that this institution holds, so that patients feel healed, not hurt.
Now let me draw your attention towards sub-district hospital of Sopore that has not only been at the forefront in patients needs and healthcare but has also been in news over past couple of months to attain the status of district hospital by catering to the needs of hundreds of patients regularly. Though this hospital doesn’t match with district hospital in terms of facilities, infrastructure, huge patient footfall, excellent doctors; yet, in past some years, it has incessantly won the hearts of large population besides bringing laurels to the whole district in different fields. Even if the hospital infrastructure is not so rich, yet, it never lagged behind in prioritizing patients who come from far off places. Patients from Handwara, Kupwara, Rafiabad and even Bandipora give first preference to SDH Sopore before proceeding towards Baramulla GMC or Srinagar. A huge number of patients, time and again, are of the opinion that sub-district hospital of Sopore has always been their first priority who believe that it doesn’t cause patients any suffering, instead it heals them, brings the solace and prioritizes their well-being.
Catering to more than 15 hundreds patients on daily basis, as per reports, this hospital can soon be on an equal footing, and neck-to-neck, in value, quality, or status with other renowned hospitals around, if the higher ups, pay some attention towards certain areas that this institution awaits from much time now. What this hospital is in dire need of is: 24×7 Ultrasound and CT Scan facility that often pushes patients to move elsewhere. It also needs 24×7 functioning of operation theatre vis-à-vis all time availability of pediatricians and more.
However, tale of development and improvement doesn’t end here; hospital administration too should look into certain areas I’m highlighted here in this write-up—the purpose of which is not to create problems for anybody but to sensitize both the hospital administrations about the loopholes they are so well aware of. Security personnel, while tasked with maintaining order, sometimes treat patients and attendants harshly. Simple courtesy could go a long way in fostering trust and comfort. The hospital’s backyard also requires attention; stray animals should be kept at bay, and the backyard area must be maintained with the same care as the front which must be restored with complete fencing for decorative aesthetics. Besides the concrete floored parking area in front of newly shifted Maternity & Child Care (M&CC) wing; a separate canteen, additionally, with drinking water facilities for attendants would ease the burden on families, maintaining hygiene and providing respite during long waits. The sooner, the better.
The author is regular contributor of GK HW and SCL & hails from Sopore.
