SMSH hospital in Srinagar is one among major casualties of devastating floods of September last. It suffered dire losses of furniture and valuable equipment to the tune of 200 crore rupees. Four months have gone by and there is no indication that the crucial equipment will be replaced soon. The patients have to bear the brunt as the hospital staff is not in a position to do anything that would mitigate their suffering. Vital machinery like three CT scans, two MRIs, Ultrasounds, Doppler, X-ray plants, Echo, EEG, Dialysis unit, Operation theaters, Intensive Care Unit, Oxygen plant and Blood bank were totally damaged and majority of the equipment is yet to be restored. The damaged Cobalt 60 and CT Simulator of Radiotherapy department has not been replaced yet with the result cancer patients are left without treatment.
Doctors have no alternative but to refer critical cases to SKIMS where influx of large number of patients has created a number of problems for the staff. The hospital has become overcrowded and lack of sufficient accommodation and medical staff have made things more difficult. This is a serious situation and unless authorities understand the implications, and arrange special funds for purchase of new equipment, it is going to be explosive. Poor patients cannot afford to seek treatment from private hospital or go to other cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar or Delhi for treatment. We strongly recommend that the Government treat this situation on war footing and consider the ways and means of raising adequate funds so that crucial machinery and medical equipment is procured and functioning of SMHS hospital becomes normal. There are reports that chaotic situation in the hospital is adversely exploited by irresponsible persons, who play truant. Actually, the entire hospital administration needs shaking up after necessary equipment is arranged.
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