Kralpora observes strike against shortage of doctors
Kupwara: After power woes, north Kashmir’s Kralpora town is up in arms against the shortage of doctors and observed a spontaneous strike on Friday to invite the attention of the government towards the difficulties people were put to in the remote areas of Kupwara.
The citizens, irrespective of their sex and age, took to roads and raised slogans against the government for not deputing the required doctors to Kralpora sub-district hospital which is manned by one doctor.
The local traders closed their establishments to join the strike.
“We, both men and women are forced to go to Srinagar and Kupwara hospitals for treatment in the absence of doctors at SDH which is near our area”, locals told Kashmir Wire.
They alleged that the government is not ensuring smooth functioning of the SDH as there is no accountability as only one doctor is catering to the needs of the entire population.
“What is the fun of having SDH at our doorstep when doctors are not there. We demand that all the Doctors should attend to their duties in the hospital so that we are not forced to go to other places”, they said adding locals are forced to go to Srinagar for treatment.
When contacted, health officers of Kupwara told Kashmir Wire that out of six sanctioned posts of specialists, only one is working in the SDH. Similarly, one medical officer out of eight sanctioned posts is working in the hospital.
They said they have recently raised the issue with the Health Minister, who has assured of filling the vacancies at the earliest. (Kashmir Wire)
KV Correspondent
