Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 3: In a major inconvenience to people of Pulwama and violation of the Health Department norms, the District Hospital administration of Pulwama district has ordered closure of the operation theatre after evening, citing “extended work hours during the day” as a reason.
The step was taken over a month ago and the patients with emergencies are being shifted to Srinagar for treatment, adding burden to the already over-burdened tertiary care hospitals of Srinagar city.
Sources said that doctors and paramedical staff working in the hospital have been verbally conveyed to stop night shifts and work from 10 am to 8 pm for six days a week, which is against the working schedule of the Health Department.
Sources said that the schedule has been worked out to facilitate the private practice of doctors during the night at private Nursing Homes. But the hospital administration says “shortage of staff and extended work hours” is the reason for closing the operation theatre at the night.
“The hospital is manned by 10 surgeons and three anaesthetists who work on rotation basis. When they work in night shifts they would take two days off and are available for only three days in a week. And the operation theatre would run for four days only,” said Dr Abdul Gani Dar, Incharge Medical Superintendent of the hospital.
The locals said that the ‘unique’ schedule has put lives of patients to high risk, especially those who are in need of emergency care during the night.
Dr Dar said that the new roaster has improved the healthcare in the hospital. “Because of this roaster doctors and paramedical staff are available till 8 p.m. We cover more patients by following this schedule,” he said.
When asked about emergency cases during night, Dr Dar said that these cases are referred to Srinagar for treatment. “Hardly two or three patients visit the hospital during night and they are being referred to Srinagar”, he added.
Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Saleem-u-Rehman told Excelsior that some doctors in the hospital are sabotaging its functioning. “The night shifts in hospitals are compulsory to take care of emergency cases. I have formed an enquiry committee that will look into the entire functioning of the hospital”, he added.
The director said that the issue will be resolved within a week so that the hospital resumes its activities in the night as per Health Department norms.
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