District hospital faces staff shortage

Baramulla, Jan 18 : At a time when state won accolades for providing better health care in the primary and secondary health institutions, the Baramulla District hospital is almost crippling in the wake of shortage of doctors and the paramedical staff.

Against the sanctioned posts of 67 doctors, the hospital is short of 27 doctors which includes 18 posts of Medical officers (Assistant Surgeons) and 9 posts of B- Grade specialists.

 "The dearth of doctors is putting extra burden on the existing staff. Be it day or night, we are overburdened. Despite that we are trying to give our best. However, the shortage of staff hits patient care," said a doctor, requesting not to be quoted.

 The gynecologist section of the district hospital is also facing enormous hardships. Around three posts of gynecologist are lying vacant.

 The shortage of paramedics has also affected the better health services in the district. As per available data, against the sanctioned posts of 124 paramedics, the hospital is short of 56 in various categories which include 8 posts of Junior theatre technician, 6 Anesthesia assistants and 4 posts of Junior pharmacists.

 All the vacant posts of doctors and the paramedics according to sources have not been filled from the past several years, despite several reminders from the hospital administration.

 "Despite, severe shortage of doctors and the paramedical staff, around 38,424 patients visited OPD during the last year. We conducted around 3043 and 1894 major and minor surgeries and during the same year, around 3157 deliveries and 966 Cesareans were conducted in the hospital," claimed an official of the district hospital.

“If a patient is referred from any area to district hospital, the hospital refers him to Srinagar," said a local.

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