‘Docs must change behaviour’
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Jan 4: While emphasizing that there will be no compromise on patient care, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo today clarified that there are no plans to shift the Chest Disease (CD) Hospital to Sonwar.
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Speaking to reporters after a surprise visit to the CD Hospital, the Minister said the Government is working to understand and address the issues faced by both the public and the hospital administrations.
“We are not planning to shift the CD Hospital to G.B. Pant Hospital in Sonwar. Both the public and the hospital administration are experiencing a space crunch, which needs to be resolved,” she stated.
The Minister further noted the need to explore alternative solutions, mentioning that a nearby vacant building could potentially be utilized.
“Patients are facing several challenges. For instance, there are sensitive cases, yet the hospital lacks lifts and ramps. These issues will be addressed,” she assured.
It is worth mentioning that while the proposal to shift the hospital to Sonwar was initiated earlier, operational challenges identified by the hospital administration halted the process.
The process began after the children’s hospital at Sonwar was relocated to Bemina following the completion of a new 500-bed hospital after missing several deadlines. While many supported the move, it faced opposition from senior doctors.
Sakeena stressed that the public expects the Government to address their concerns, particularly in the healthcare sector, noting that there will be no compromise on patient care.
“The health sector is crucial, and we will not compromise on patient care under any circumstances. Both the public and the hospital authorities must communicate their issues so we can resolve them,” she said.
She explained that the purpose of surprise visits is to evaluate patient care, particularly in light of complaints received in this regard.
“These visits help us understand the challenges faced by hospital administrations and enable us to address them to ensure better patient care,” she added.
Reiterating her commitment to patient welfare, the Minister urged doctors to improve their behavior toward patients and prioritize effective counselling.
Sakeena also addressed complaints about private practices conducted by some doctors during duty hours, calling it a grave injustice to the public. She stressed the need to curb such practices.
Regarding a recent incident of alleged medical malpractice at a private hospital in Srinagar, the Minister informed that an inquiry has been initiated, and appropriate action will be taken as per the law.
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