Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 28: At a time when medical staff is needed round-the-clock in hospitals, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today expressed dismay over lack of accommodation in Valley hospitals for doctors and paramedical staff.
In a statement issued here, the DAK president, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan alleged that non-availability of accommodation in hospitals for staff takes heavy toll on patients. “Most of the hospitals do not have residential facilities as a result of which staff faces huge inconvenience,’’ he added.
“SMHS, the premier tertiary care hospital which has been receiving majority of injured right from day one of civil unrest has no residential quarters for faculty,” he said, adding that as a result of this senior doctors are not available during emergency hours when their services are needed the most.
He said even the hostel in SMHS for postgraduate students, who are on frontline during emergencies, has inadequate rooms and many of the students live in rented accommodation. “While in other places, hostel facilities are free of cost to students, but in Kashmir they pay hefty sums for shabby rooms. Also, majority of peripheral hospitals including district and sub-district hospitals have no facilities for staff to stay,” said Dr Nisar.
He said that as per Medical Council of India, every doctor should be provided a quarter and every student a hostel facility. “In order to ensure full time services of doctors and paramedical staff in hospitals, they have to be provided with lodging. Under the prevailing circumstances when Kashmir is under curfew and clampdown, accommodation for staff within the hospital premises becomes essential,” said DAK president.
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