Already understaffed govt chokes DH Budgam yet again
Imagine how naive must be the officials of the Health and Medical Education Department who have ordered the transfer of at least three doctors from the District Hospital (DH), Budgam. It is another story that the hospital is massively understaffed and is operating in pitiable conditions.
Notably, the DH Budgam has only 50 per cent staff strength against the sanctioned staff, with the result, the patients who come here for treatment are suffering on health front. So much so that all the emergency situations are referred to Srinagar hospitals for further and specialized treatment.
This newspaper had carried a news story regarding the deplorable condition of the hospital last week, and the move from the department came after bringing to fore the sorry state of affairs at the hospital.
Pertinently, the referral rate from District Hospital Budgam is said to be high in comparison to other district hospitals, with the Govt ordering three transfers from the hospital, it is only going to aggravate the already pathetic situation in the hospital.
The order issued on 14-08-2017, vide order number: 434–HME of 2017, states that in the interest of administration and patient care, the following transfers and postings are hereby ordered with immediate effect.
The order states the transfers of: Consultant ENT who is currently posted at DH, Budgam has been transferred to JLNM Hospital, Rainawari. Consultant Anaesthetist, who is currently posted at DH, Budgam has been transferred to Sub-District Hospital, Pakherpora. Consultant Paediatrician, who is currently posted at DH, Budgam has been transferred to JLNM Hospital, Rainawari.
Interestingly, the department, while transferring three consultants, has posted only two against three vacancies that have been created after the transfers in the hospital.
Consultant Paediatrician, who is currently posted at JLNM Hospital Rainawari, has been transferred to DH, Budgam. Consultant Anesthetist, who is currently posted at SDH Pakharpora, has been transferred to DH, Budgam, while, there has been no replacement provided for Consultant ENT in DH Budgam who, under the same transfer order, has been posted at JLNM Hospital, Rainawari.
The unbalanced transfer order, as per the experts, is again going to create much imbalance to the already existing mal-functional operations in the DH, Budgam.
This newspaper had also reported that the situation in the DH, Budgam has worsened to the extent that Sonologists in the hospital, who are supposed to carry out ultrasonography tests (USGs), also see patients in the OPD, raising serious questions over the quality of services the patients are getting in the district hospital.
Insiders say that due to the shortage of staff need based employees engaged under Hospital Development Fund are compelled to work as theatre assistants. The practice that is in vogue in the hospital has been putting the lives of patients at huge risk.
KV Correspondent
