Digital push leaves patients stranded at SDH Tral, locals demand more offline counters
Pulwama: The shift toward online registration at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tral has sparked growing concern among patients and attendants, who say the digital system—introduced to streamline services—has instead resulted in long queues, confusion, and delays in accessing medical care.
From early morning hours, hundreds of patients can be seen waiting outside the hospital premises, many struggling to secure their turn through the online ticketing system. The situation is particularly difficult for elderly patients, daily wagers, and those from far-flung rural areas who lack access to smartphones or familiarity with digital platforms.
Locals said that what was meant to ease the process has, in reality, complicated it. “We come here as early as 7 am, but still have to wait for hours. Not everyone knows how to book tickets online. For us, it has become more difficult than before,” said Abdul Rashid, a resident of Tral.
Another attendant, Shabnam Bano, who had accompanied her ailing mother to the hospital, said the absence of adequate assistance for online registration adds to their distress.
“We are not against modernization, but there should be support for people like us. My mother is unwell, and we spent nearly half the day just trying to get a registration slip,” she said.
Several patients also complained that the limited number of staff available to guide people through the digital system has further worsened the situation. “There should be separate counters or helpers to assist patients in booking tickets. Right now, it’s chaotic, and many people are left confused,” said another local.
Residents pointed out that internet connectivity issues in some areas further hinder the effectiveness of the online system. “In villages, the network is poor. How can we book tickets online when even making a call is difficult?” questioned Ghulam Nabi, a patient from a nearby village.
The increasing rush at the hospital, coupled with the lack of sufficient offline counters, has turned routine visits into a day-long ordeal. Many patients expressed concern that delays in registration could also affect timely medical consultation, particularly in emergency or serious cases.
Locals have now urged the hospital administration and the Health Department to adopt a more inclusive approach by strengthening offline registration facilities alongside the digital system. “Digital services are good, but they should not come at the cost of accessibility. There must be a balance so that no patient suffers,” they said.
