Lack of specialist doctors mars healthcare at SDH Kralpora

Kupwara, Mar 3: The continued absence of specialist doctors at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kralpora has become a major concern for residents, who say the shortfall is severely affecting healthcare delivery in the area.

Locals allege that despite repeated representations to the authorities, no concrete steps have been taken to post specialists at the hospital, forcing patients to travel long distances to Kupwara or Handwara for treatment.

According to residents, the hospital caters to a population of over one lakh people but has only a limited number of doctors, insufficient to meet the growing healthcare needs.

“We do not have specialist doctors such as a gynaecologist, ENT specialist, orthopaedician, ophthalmologist, paediatrician or anaesthesiologist. For even basic specialised treatment, we have to go to Kupwara or Handwara,” said Irfan Lone, a resident. “I fail to understand why specialist doctors are not being posted here,” he added.

Residents said that when the hospital was upgraded to a Sub-District Hospital, there were expectations of improved facilities and better services. However, they claim that the situation has not changed significantly.

“This hospital serves more than one lakh people, yet it has not been able to function as a proper referral centre,” another resident said.

The functioning of the operation theatre has also come under scrutiny. Although it was reportedly made operational last year, residents claim that not a single surgery has been performed so far.

Meanwhile, Trehgam MLA Mir Saifullah acknowledged the difficulties faced by the public due to the shortage of specialist doctors. He said the matter has been taken up with the Health Minister and expressed hope that the grievances of the people would be addressed at the earliest.