Patients suffer as USG facility unavailable after OPD hours at DH Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Jul 31: The non availability of any ultrasound (USG ) facility at district hospital Ganderbal after OPD hours is causing immense hardships to the patients particularly female patients and those in need of it during emergency.

The non availability of USG facility after 4 pm at District hospital Ganderbal, a major healthcare facility in the district has caused resentment and concern among the local population who are dependent on this hospital . Greater Kashmir received a number or calls from patients and attendants complaining about the lack of USG facility at district hospital Ganderbal after 4 pm especially during evening hours when the hospital see only emergency cases including pregnant ladies.

They said that due to lack of USG facility in evening hours the maternity services at District Hospital Ganderbal have been also severely affected.

Local residents said despite its status as a district hospital, the health department has failed to allocate manpower to operate USG service at the major health facility in the district.

“My son complained of severe pain in abdomen recently and we rushed him to the district hospital at 9 pm where doctor advised for a USG and when we confirm the facility wasn’t available at that time , adding that we had to rush SKIMS Soura to get the USG done and somehow we managed to save our kid “ Bashir Ahmad a local resident said. Another attendant from the district said a few days back his sister was referred from Kangan to DH Ganderbal for immediate USG but the facility was not available during night time.

“We were then referred to SKIMS Soura. The authorities should note this issue and do something for the people. Patients suffer a lot,” the attendant said. Raja Parvaiz, a social activist said that they have raised the issue many a times with the concerned authorities but nothing substantial is being done. He also highlighted the non availability of a CT scan facility at district hospital Ganderbal.

“ There is immediate need for the improvement in healthcare facilities at DH Ganderbal so that people don’t suffer, adding that the USG facility should be made available 24/7 besides the CT scan facility should be installed as soon as possible “ Bilal Ahmad, a social activist told Greater Kashmir.

Chief Medical Officer, Ganderbal, Dr Bashir Khan said they are trying to resolve the issue and admitted that the hospital is facing manpower issues. “We have a shortage of experts for USG. We are trying to resolve the issue with the limited resources available, adding that hopefully in coming days the USG facility will be made available beyond OPD hours till evening “ CMO told Greater Kashmir. He said that the CT scan is under process and will take some time for its installation.

Medical Superintendent DH Ganderbal Dr Farah Shafi said that, “ we are working on the issue and trying to manage with the available resources. She said the USG facility is being made available till evening and the CT scan facility will be installed likely by next month. She said that the people can see the visible improvement of the facilities and patient are at district hospital Ganderbal which see hundreds of patients on daily basis.