PULWAMA — The District Hospital Pulwama, catering to around 300 villages, is grappling with a severe shortage of doctors and paramedical staff, giving a tough time to hospital administrators.
The officials, while talking to the news agency KNO, said that the DH Pulwama not only caters to 300 villages of the district but the patients from Shopian and Budgam also visit here for treatment.
They said the hospital witnesses a huge rush of patients round the clock and it needs adequate staff to provide better healthcare services to them. "In the last few years, many doctors from the hospital were transferred but were not replaced till date," they said.
While the people said there are better facilities available at the district hospital, they cited the shortage of doctors and other staff as the concern. "If the government will post adequate staff at the hospital, then the rush and referral of patients to tertiary care hospitals will decrease as well," they said.
They have requested the Director of Health Services and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to look into the matter.
The Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Pulwama, Dr. Ab Gani Dar said around 70 posts are vacant at the hospital. "We have already written to the concerned authorities in this regard and we hope the vacancies are filled soon," he said, adding that 69 posts including 15 doctors are currently lying vacant.
“In this 200-bedded District Hospital Pulwama, all facilities are available for patients, and efforts are being made to enhance them further,” he said.
PULWAMA — Following widespread public discontent and the publication of a news story on The Kashmir Pulse highlighting the chaotic situation caused by street vendors and wrong parking outside District Hospital Pulwama, the local administration has taken decisive action to address the issue.
The road leading to the main healthcare facility in Pulwama had been plagued by street vendors occupying the space with their three-wheeler load carriers and push-carts. This occupation created immense inconvenience for patients and commuters, obstructing the movement of vehicles and even hindering emergency services, resulting in potential delays in critical patient care.
After the story shed light on the matter, the local administration, prompted by the concerns raised by the public, swung into action to rectify the situation. The Traffic Police, responsible for enforcing traffic laws and managing traffic, devised a novel approach to deter wrong parking. In recent weeks, the cops have started penalizing those resorting to wrong parking by deflating their vehicle tires, effectively immobilizing the illegally parked vehicles.
The impact of this measure has been remarkable, with the road outside the District Hospital Pulwama now largely clear of encroachment. The concerted effort between the Traffic Police and the Municipal Committee Pulwama has successfully removed unauthorized vendors from obstructing the passage, bringing relief to local residents and patients visiting the healthcare facility.
Authorities remind citizens to park vehicles responsibly to avoid inconvenience and ensure smooth traffic flow.
When asked about the same, a Traffic policeman stated, “While our primary focus is to enforce traffic laws, we recognized that wrong parking was a significant issue affecting the smooth flow of traffic. We are duty-bound to ensure the easy access of vehicles to various routes.
Wishing anonymity, the cop, however, didn't speak about deflating the tires of vehicles parked in violation of regulations. Nevertheless, he added that the police aim to create a deterrent against such behaviour.
Owais Mushtaq (JKAS), Executive Officer (Incharge), Municipal Committee Pulwama, earlier affirmed that the road outside the district hospital has witnessed significant improvement. He had stated, “We have taken action against some auto-rickshaw drivers, and this has led to a largely clear road. The shopkeepers of the area can attest to the positive change.”
Road outside District Hospital Pulwama
While the deflation of tires has proven to be an effective deterrent against wrong parking, district officials also acknowledged the need to address the overall problem of street vendors occupying public spaces. The district administration, in coordination with concerned authorities, aims to implement effective measures that strike a balance between the needs of street vendors and the welfare of the public.
Deflating Tyres: Move sparks discussions on legality and effectiveness
The recent implementation of deflating tyres as a deterrent against wrong parking outside the District Hospital Pulwama has sparked discussions on the legality and effectiveness of such measures in the parking enforcement scene. While parking fines and challans are already prevalent across the country, the practice of deflating tyres introduces a new approach to tackle the long-standing issue of wrong parking.
In cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR, parking fines can range from Rs. 500 to as high as Rs. 17,600 for various violations. However, the enforcement of these fines often faces challenges due to resource limitations and the lack of adequate technology. It becomes challenging for the police to monitor every parking situation effectively, leading to lax enforcement in many areas.
Given the growing number of vehicles on roads and the constant need for parking space, experts highlight the importance of encouraging people to use public transportation. To address parking woes, authorities must also consider implementing mechanisms such as raising parking fees, imposing congestion taxes, and restricting parking in specific areas.
The introduction of deflating tyres as a deterrent in Pulwama signifies a bold move by the local administration to take action against wrong parking and address the issue promptly. While some may question the legality of this approach, the effectiveness of the measure is evident as the road outside the District Hospital Pulwama has witnessed significant improvement in recent weeks, with fewer encroachments by unauthorized vendors.
As the district administration and traffic authorities continue to strive for a harmonious environment that ensures smooth traffic flow and convenience for patients, the initiative to deflate tyres sends a strong message to the wrong parkers. However, it also opens up discussions on the need for stricter parking regulations and the development of more comprehensive strategies to tackle the parking challenges.
PULWAMA — The absence of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan facility at the Government District Hospital in Pulwama has sparked growing demand from the local community, causing inconvenience and financial burden for residents in need of this vital diagnostic service.
Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama, voiced his concerns, stating, "We face considerable hardships as we are forced to travel over 25 kilometres to Srinagar city for an MRI scan. If this facility was available in our own hospital, it would save us both time and money."
"I have to spend Rs 2000 to Rs 2500 for an MRI test at a private lab, whereas I could have gotten it done for as low as Rs 1500 at a government hospital," Mushtaq Bhat, a resident of Marheng village in Shopian district, expressed his frustration. He emphasized the challenges of travelling with a patient and finding a suitable lab, stressing that having an MRI set up at District Hospital Pulwama would greatly ease the process.
Pertinently, District Hospital Pulwama serves as a healthcare facility for both Pulwama and Shopian districts, making the absence of an MRI scan facility all the more concerning.
Shedding light on the dearth of MRI scan facilities in district hospitals, the Medical Superintendent of the Government District Hospital in Pulwama disclosed that presently, only a handful of government health institutions in Srinagar offer this crucial diagnostic service.
Addressing the issue, the Medical Superintendent highlighted the absence of MRI facilities in district hospitals, stating, "However, the government consistently introduces new upgradation projects in healthcare, such as the phased implementation of dialysis services in district hospitals. Government policies, particularly in the health sector, are sensitive to the genuine demands of the people."
The Medical Superintendent emphasized the government's commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the public. "The introduction of vital services is carried out in a phased manner, ensuring an effective and sustainable approach to healthcare enhancement."
It is in place to mention here that none of the district hospitals in south Kashmir currently possess an MRI facility. Even though, the geographical significance of District Hospital Pulwama calls for the addition of such a scan facility to meet the diagnostic needs of the area.
Local residents, along with officials, urge the government to address the pressing need for an MRI scan facility at District Hospital Pulwama. The establishment of such a facility would alleviate the financial burden on residents and provide convenient access to essential diagnostic services closer to home.
PULWAMA — The road leading to District Hospital Pulwama in the south Kashmir district has turned into a chaotic scene as street vendors occupy the space, causing immense inconvenience to both patients and traffic.
The road, meant to provide smooth access to the main healthcare facility, has become cluttered with three-wheeler load carriers and push-carts selling fruits and other goods. This occupation not only obstructs the movement of vehicles but also hampers emergency services, leading to potential delays in critical patient care.
The situation is particularly dire on holidays and Sundays when street vendors take advantage of what they perceive as a lack of vigilance from the district administration. Ignoring regulations and moral obligations, they indiscriminately park their push-carts, further shrinking the already congested road and exacerbating traffic congestion, ultimately resulting in frustrating traffic jams.
Local residents and patients visiting the hospital express their dissatisfaction with the ongoing predicament. "It's a nightmare to navigate through the road filled with street vendors. As if dealing with health issues isn't stressful enough, we are now subjected to additional hurdles due to the traffic congestion caused by these unauthorized vendors," complains Suhail Mir, a patient's relative.
Another local resident, Jahangeer Bhat, voices her concerns, saying, "The district hospital is a crucial healthcare facility, and it is disheartening to witness its surroundings in such disarray. It is imperative for the district administration to address this issue promptly for the well-being of both patients and the general public."
When contacted, DySP Traffic, Mudasir Tramboo said that the mandate of Traffic Police is to enforce traffic laws and manage traffic. "It is not our mandate to move the street vendors from one place to another. However, we can definitely take action against wrong parking," he added.
Responding to the prevailing situation, the President of Municipal Committee Pulwama, Bilal Ahmad Rather assured swift action to alleviate the problem.
While speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, he affirms, "We acknowledge the inconvenience faced by patients and commuters due to the presence of street vendors outside the District Hospital Pulwama. We are committed to resolving this issue promptly and have already taken action against them. We will ensure strict enforcement of regulations to restore the smooth flow of traffic and provide an unhindered passage for patients accessing the hospital."
Another district official, who didn't want to be named, also emphasizes the importance of adhering to established norms, stating, "The district administration will work in coordination with concerned authorities to implement effective measures that strike a balance between the needs of street vendors and the welfare of the public. We aim to create a harmonious environment where the road outside the District Hospital Pulwama remains free from any obstructions, allowing uninterrupted movement of traffic and ensuring the well-being of patients."
As patients continue to face hardships and traffic woes persist outside the District Hospital Pulwama, local residents hope that the district administration's assurance translates into tangible actions, bringing about a resolution to this pressing issue.
PULWAMA — Authorities in Pulwama district have taken cognizance of a video in which Municipal Committee President Pulwama Bilal Ahmad Rather was seen threatening doctors at District Hospital Pulwama.
An official order, taking note of the video which went viral on social media and drew strong condemnation from civil society, said the Jammu and Kashmir Doctors Coordination Committee approached the district administration with a representation alleging Rather barged into the duty room of doctors at 6:30 PM and hurled abuses.
“The doctor concerned had felt so much threatened and intimidated but had still managed his duties overnight without any compromise despite huge mental trauma. He used unparliamentary language and also interfered in the discharge of legitimate duties by doctors. The Doctors Association is aggrieved of such unbecoming behaviour and prays for early action against the erring group,” said the order, as per the news agency KNO.
It said that a panel led by Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama is constituted for enquiry and it will submit its report after conducting a thorough enquiry within a period of five days.
Besides ADC, Chief Executive Officer of Municipal Committee Pulwama, Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, Tehsildar Pulwama and Deputy Superintendent of Police Pulwama will be members of the committee.
An application submitted by the hospital staff and addressed to SHO Pulwama said that at 6:15 PM on February 27, “few miscreants” barged into the room and in rude behaviour, asked why a patient had been asked to undergo USG outside the hospital after 4:30 PM.
They obstructed patient care which could have caused death or a serious complication to critical patients admitted in the casualty and emergency section, it added while seeking assurance about their safety. “We request your good self to lodge an FIR under relevant sections,” it said.
Meanwhile, an unnamed police official was quoted by the news agency as having said that a case bearing FIR No. 40 of 2023 under Section 353, 506 IPC at Police Station Pulwama and further investigation has been taken up.
On the other hand, the Municipal Committee President said that he feels sorry for using abusive language but said that the full story is not being shown in the video.
SRINAGAR — Municipal Committee President Pulwama Bilal Ahmad Rather threatened doctors at District Hospital Pulwama following which hospital authorities have written to higher authorities for legal action.
In a video that surfaced on social media and went viral, Rather was seen threatening doctors at the district hospital.
He told the news agency KNO that he feels sorry for using abusive language but said that the full story isn't being shown in the video.
“Some miscreants had made a video behind me and uploaded it with some wrong motive. I went to the hospital to see why USG services weren't available when I saw a patient was being taken to a private diagnostic center for USG in a trolley,” he said.
Rather said that there was an exchange of heated arguments between a doctor who claimed that the USG facility is available at the hospital till 8 PM but the fact is it wasn’t.
“Using abusive language can't be justified. I am sorry because I became emotional when I saw the condition of a patient outside who was being taken to the diagnostic center for USG,” he said, adding, “My sole aim is the welfare of people and I am sorry if I have hurt anyone's sentiments.”
Rather demanded that all facilities must be available at the hospital round the clock so that poor patients won't suffer anymore.
The Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Pulwama said that they have lodged an FIR against the concerned person.
“We have only one radiologist who runs USG, CT scan, and even X-Ray and performs duty 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM on a daily basis as per government directions. If there is any problem at the hospital, the concerned person should have discussed it with us instead of using abusive language,” he said.
SRINAGAR — A private nursing home in Pulwama town refused to perform surgery on Ayushman card, also known as Golden card, after which the patient as well as the attendant had to return disappointed. Meanwhile, the relatives of the patient demanded the administration take action against the nursing home.
As per reports from the news agency CNS, the management of Mohammadia Nursing Home in Pulwama has refused to perform surgery on a Golden card in the hospital.
A citizen, namely Mohammad Asif Pandit from Karimabad village, said that he admitted his four-year-old child for plastic surgery at District Hospital Pulwama. However, the doctors told him that the child will not be able to bear anesthesia in the district hospital. Accordingly, he consulted a doctor in a nursing home, who took the responsibility for anesthesia.
According to the exact advice of the doctor, the child was scheduled to undergo plastic surgery at the nursing home, but the management of the hospital disappointed him by saying that they can perform this surgery for a cash amount of Rs. 24,000 and opposed to performing the same on a Golden card.
“Despite making them understand 1000 times, the management denied to perform the same surgery and I had to return disappointed,” Asif said.
In this regard, when Mohammadia Nursing Home Gangoo was contacted, they said that this kind of surgery is not registered on the surgical portal of the hospital so this surgery can be performed on cash payment only.
It is pertinent to mention here that despite the facilities in District Hospital Pulwama, the surgery of the child was not done there, and later, the surgery was denied at Mohammadia Nursing Home also. This has raised a question mark over the functioning and management of the district hospital.
Meanwhile, the citizens have demanded that District Development Commissioner Pulwama make the hospital administrator accountable in this regard so that the people living below the poverty level do not face difficulties in the future.
PULWAMA — Doctors conducted a Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) for the first time at District Hospital Pulwama.
The procedure was conducted by Dr. Shakeel (surgeon), Dr. Liza (gynecologist), Bashir Ahmed (OT technician) and the anesthesia team led by Dr. Iffat, Dr. Wajahat and Dr. Shahzada.
Dr Liza told the news agency KNO that the procedure is a first of its kind performed in any peripheral hospital and was performed by them on Wednesday.
She said that a 55-year-old patient from Tral Pulwama presented AUB with chronic pelvic pain. "So she was planned for TLH, which is an operation to completely remove the uterus and cervix through laparoscopy with vault closure done abdominally," she added.
“The procedure is also an advanced minimal access surgery with many benefits to the patient,” Liza said.
"TLH is the complete hysterectomy including transection of the uterine vessels and opening/closure of the vaginal vault performed laparoscopically," the doctor said, adding the procedure can be performed as an alternative to total abdominal hysterectomy in many cases.
She thanked Dr. B S Tulla, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, for support and encouragement.
Dr. Liza is the one who has started laparoscopic procedures and other major surgeries at the district hospital on a routine basis so that people are not forced to visit LD Hospital Srinagar.
“Our hospital is equipped with advanced equipment and it is our duty to make use of them for the benefit of patients so that there will be less burden on already overburdened LD Hospital,” Dr. Liza said.
SRINAGAR — Patients raised a hue and cry at District Hospital Pulwama on Wednesday after it was found that the doctor posing as an ENT specialist is basically a speech therapist.
As per reports reaching the news agency CNS, sensational revelations of hospital administration playing with ENT patients' lives came to notice as those treating patients have nothing to do with this field.
After this information, as soon as a CNS correspondent reached the hospital with his cameraman, he actually found a doctor, who was not even remotely related to the ENT department, treating the patients. The physician is actually a speech therapist.
When the CNS raised with him the issue of misusing his profession and playing with the lives of patients, he said that he was forced to stay there on the order of the Medical Superintendent and that he was aware that he was misusing his profession for which he apologized.
Dozens of tickets were distributed among the patients for ENT consultation with Dr. Irfan. As they were waiting for their turn in a queue, the CNS exposed the absence of a doctor and the mechanism of treatment. Accordingly, the patients from remote areas were disappointed and had to go back to their own areas despite paying their ticket fees.
When the matter was brought to the notice of the Medical Superintendent, Dr. BS Tulla, he instead of coming in front of the camera wanted us to end the discussion on the issue on the basis that there is only one ENT doctor in the district hospital.
The Medical Superintendent 'proudly' repeated that the unqualified staff in the OPD was treating patients there on his request as the ENT has OPD only two or three times a week.
It should be noted that Coronavirus has again started to affect lives across the world at this time and the treatment of patients, worse than animals, in the District Hospital Pulwama has raised alarming questions in the J&K's Health and Medical Education Department.
PULWAMA — Patients at District Hospital Pulwama are up in arms against the government for its order to transfer psychiatrist Dr Majid.
As per reports by the news agency CNS, scores of patients on Wednesday held a protest due to the unavailability of the said psychiatrist in the hospital.
Scores of patients said that due to his hard work and dedication, thousands of patients have been granted intercession by Allah so far as the said doctor besides giving medicines also has good skills in counselling.
They further alleged that there is some lobby which is trying to transfer this honest and dedicated doctor from the district hospital as few doctors have been posted in the hospital for the last 10 years.
“Patients from far-flung areas have been visiting this doctor and his sudden transfer is worrisome for most psychiatric patients. If other medicos are not being transferred, why only the specific doctor is put on the list,” they questioned.
Meanwhile, the people in general and patients, in particular, have demanded from the Lieutenant Governor and Health Department that Dr Majid should be stationed at the District Hospital Pulwama on humanitarian grounds, so that the problems of the people can be solved.
PULWAMA — Due to the non-availability of chemotherapy facilities for cancer patients in District Hospital Pulwama, the patients have to run to Srinagar hospitals dozens of miles away. The people of Pulwama have demanded the district administration take measures in this regard so that the patients do not have to face the problems.
According to the news agency CNS, due to the non-availability of chemotherapy facilities for cancer patients in District Hospital Pulwama, patients from remote areas are facing a lot of difficulties.
A cancer patient said that he has to visit Shireen Bagh Hospital in Srinagar every week for chemotherapy. The person suffering from this fatal disease said that the Jammu and Kashmir Health Department had assured to provide chemotherapy facilities in District Hospital Pulwama, but this dream of the people could not be fulfilled till now.
Another patient of Rajpora said that people with income above the prescribed limit are benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, but they have to bear the burden of thousands of rupees due to the non-availability of these facilities in District Hospital Pulwama.
Locals of Pulwama said that if chemotherapy facilities are made available in District Hospital Pulwama, it will be considered a commendable initiative of the Health Department.
The local citizens of the district demanded District Development Commissioner Pulwama Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary play his role in this matter.
They said that they have hopes from the District Development Commissioner that he would take the matter seriously and take necessary steps for enabling chemotherapy in addition to other necessary facilities in District Hospital Pulwama.
