Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR Sept 30: The Emergency ward at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has run out of essential items and medicine, forcing patients to buy them from the open market while the administration says the shortage is due to a supply delay from the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL).
The hospital’s stock of emergency supplies, such as surgical gloves, syringes, drip sets, and adhesive tape, has nearly depleted, according to doctors at the hospital.
They said that important medicines, such as antibiotics, are also unavailable in hospitals. “Necessary antibiotics, such as Cefeztroxine, is unavailable in hospitals. We do not have a choice but to ask patients to purchase these items from the open market,” a doctor said.
Basit Zargar, a Srinagar resident, said he took his sick mother to the hospital last night but had to buy surgical gloves from the market. “I took my ailing mother to SKIMS today. Was shocked to learn that the emergency ward has been without essentials like gloves, surgical tapes, and even antibiotics for several weeks. Doctors are helpless; patients have to buy these things from the market, as I did,” he said, adding that while the government makes lofty claims about the Ayushman Bharat scheme, poor patients at this prestigious medical centre are forced to buy essential items and medicines from the market.
The problem arose, according to hospital insiders, when SKIMS management’s rate contract with the suppliers expired earlier this month. “The matter was discussed in the purchase sub-committee, where it was stressed that the items should be procured from Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (MSCL),” he said, adding that they have agreed to send these items in exchange for payment in advance.
Farooq Jan, SKIMS Medical Superintendent, told Excelsior that they have taken all necessary steps to address the issues and have already extended the rate contract. “A truck carrying medical supplies for the hospital has been stuck in Ambala for several days and that caused a delay in supplies,” he explained.
He said that they ordered gloves a month ago but have yet to receive the supplies from JKMSCL, resulting in a crisis. “However, adhesive and drip sets were now available”, he said.
Jan said they have placed an order with JKMSCL for syringes, and the consignment is ready for dispatch. “Corporation has purchased syringes and is carrying out quality checks on the material. They promised us that the supply would arrive in a few days,” he added.
When it comes to medicine, he said, “just because some medicines are not available does not mean there is a shortage.”
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel