Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 4: The dysfunctional fans and air conditioners at Government Medical College Baramulla are causing inconvenience to the patients as they are having a tough time to cope with the heat the Valley has been experiencing for the past week because of the rising temperature.
With both minimum and maximum temperatures consistently exceeding five degrees for the past week, the Valley has been experiencing record-breaking high temperature.
The rising temperature is having an effect on the patients at the Medical College, as less than half of the hospital’s fans and air conditioners are operational.
“Just 2-3 of 20 fans in a ward are operating. Similarly, only one of the three air conditioners is operating, which is quite difficult for the patients. These appliances are no longer functional due to wiring problem. The problem is present in almost all of the sections,” an official in the hospital told Excelsior.
He said that there is an immediate need to fix fans and air conditioners in all units. “A patient recently had a remarkable escape when a fan fell on him. To prevent such incidents in future, the administration needs to start a technical audit of these appliances. But before doing anything else, they must make these devices functional because the patients are suffering,” he said.
According to a patient, there are just two functional fans in the female ward, and all three air conditioners are dysfunctional. “Patients are suffering because of the unavailability of these appliances because the wards are quite hot. The Government has invested a significant sum of money in installing these appliances, but what is the point of doing so if they cannot relieve the suffering of the patients?” an attendant asked.
“The temperature within the wards is intolerable, and attendants occasionally take patients out to obtain some fresh air. “I take my patient outside for fresh air, but some patients cannot do so due to their serious ailments,” an attendant said.
Dr Rubi Reshi, Principal Government Medical College, Baramulla, told Excelsior that the Mechanical Engineering Department has not been doing its job properly.
“They are performing the yearly maintenance, which is the issue. They have been asked to work more quickly. Even some of the fans and ACs have been changed. The matter will be resolved within the next two days,” she said, adding that they have replaced the wiring and faulty MCBs to avoid power snags in future.
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