The patients admitted at Srinagar’s SMHS hospital with bullet and pellet injuries have alleged complete negligence by the doctors and nursing staff which according to them posing a major threat to their lives. Pertinently, dozens of people particularly the youth have been admitted in SMHS hospital Srinagar after getting injured in clashes in different areas of South Kashmir in recent days.
The patients most of them with lethal pellet injuries on their eyes alleged that besides the non availability of specialized ophthalmologists in hospital the irresponsible behavior of the medical staff is causing further deterioration to their health. The patients while talking to said that one hand we are being targeted with bullets and pellets for no crime on other hand even the medical treatment is being denied.
“The medical profession is considered a noble profession because it helps in preserving life but in Kashmir the story is different we have been deprived of treatment,” said an attendant of ward 8 of SMHS hospital, adding, none of the government official or senior doctor so far visited here which reflects their anti-people and inhuman approach.” When KNB, contacted Medical Superintendent SMHS hospital, Dr Saleem Tak, he said “After operation of eyes there is no need to examine the patient till the bandage is not removed in operation theater,” adding a patient can leave for home as well.
Pertinent to mention here, in 2016 public agitation during which pellet guns were used massively, the government had to urge non local retina surgeons including Dr S Natrajan to perform surgeries in Srinagar's SMHS hospital. Meanwhile, a delegation of Hurriyat (M) comprising Ghulam Nabi Zaki, Mushtaq Ahmed Sofi, Farooq Ahmed Saudagar, Muhammad Sidiq Hazar and Sahil Ahmed War visited SMHS hospital to take the stock of the health of dozens of injured youth of Shopian.
The families and attendants of the injured complained that were deprived of the quality treatment and there was a shortage of specialized doctors in the SMHS hospital which is a cause of concern. A delegation led by Hurriyat leader Muhammad Yousuf Naqash and Javaid Ahmad Mir also visited SMHS hospital to inquire the well being of the pellet and bullet victims.