Hospital facing strain, operating with limited resources
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Aug 20: The Government Medical College (GMC) in Baramulla is currently grappling with a significant influx of Gynaecology patients from neighbouring districts, resulting in immense pressure on the institution.
The hospital is seen managing a patient load that has swelled to three times its usual volume as the officials highlight that the strain is particularly noticeable in the case of Gynaecology patients.
These patients, officials informed, are referred daily from various districts, in violation to the referral SOPs, particularly the cases that could be managed locally, from the Kupwara district-with highest referrals-including Handwara, half of Bandipora and the peripheries of district Baramulla.
As per guidelines, GMC Baramulla is required to perform around 1800 deliveries per year, covering normal deliveries and Lower Segment Caesarean Sections (LSCS). Remarkably, the hospital has been recording 7000-8000 deliveries annually, significantly exceeding the stipulated limit, further burdening its operations.
Data available with Excelsior shows that from April to July this year, the highest number of Gynae referrals originated from Kupwara, with 340 patients being sent, of which 184 cases were deemed “unnecessary” referrals that could have been managed effectively locally.
Similar referral cases have been reported from Handwara and nearby areas during the same four-month period. Among the 172 Gynae referrals from Handwara, 50 were categorized as “unnecessary,” alongside 40 LSCS procedures and 77 normal deliveries.
Dr Parvaiz Masoodi, the Medical Superintendent of the Associated Hospital Baramulla, highlights infrastructure limitations stating that there are three Gynae wards, one Antenatal Care ward, and two postoperative wards, with a total bed capacity of 70, in addition to a labour room with a 16-bed capacity.
“Due to referrals, this 70-bed capacity is often tripled, and the labour room’s capacity of 16 beds reaches 50. The staff and space remain the same, but the workload has increased immensely, undoubtedly affecting the quality of patient care,” he explained.
Dr Ruby Reshi, the Principal of GMC Baramulla, notes her efforts to address unnecessary referrals with concerned district officials. However, there has been no adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for referrals, leading to strain on the hospital.
She emphasized, “We are facing an increase in referral-in while the referral-out is minimal. I have taken up the matter with the concerned officials in the districts, but there has been no adherence to the SOPs for referrals, resulting in strain on the hospital.”
Notably, several healthcare facilities in nearby districts, including Baramulla, have the capacity to handle non-high-risk Gynae cases for normal deliveries. Healthcare institutions in Pattan, Tangmarg, Sopore within Baramulla itself, officials noted, can attend to such patients, ensuring that only high-risk cases are referred to GMC Baramulla, however, what is happening is the total opposite.
Dr Masoodi shared that just yesterday, nearly 12 patients were referred from Kupwara, of which 9 delivered normally. These cases, he underlined, could have been effectively managed at other hospitals without the need for referral to GMC Baramulla.
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