Srinagar, November 16 (KNO) : Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday demanded for upgradation and affiliation of SDH Sopore and SDH Bijbehara as associated hospitals of Baramulla Medical College (BMC) and Anantnag Medical Colleges (AMC) respectively. SDH Sopore is one of the biggest hospitals among sub district hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir, said president DAK Dr Suahil Naik in a statement issued to KNO. The hospital is centrally placed in north Kashmir and therefore it is convenient place for patients from district Kupwara and Bandipora to visit Sopore than Baramulla, he said, adding that hospital is only 15 kilometres away from Baramulla Medical College (BMC) and it will sheer injustice with people if said facility is not associated with BMC. “The inordinate delay in upgradation has marred the career of hundreds of medical professional loving students and many them have left to other countries to fulfill their dream, which has resulted in economic drainage from our State. It has also put their parents in stressful situation,” he said. Dr Owais H Dar, General Secretary DAK said SDH Bijbehara should be associated and affiliated with upcoming Anantnag Medical College (AMC) as the hospital infrastructure is located on National Highway and therefore it is convenient place for people of south Kashmir including Shopian and Pulwama to visit the facility due to its topographic position. The infrastructure of SDH Bijbehra can be utilised to get early medical council recognition and many specialties can function from already established infrastructure Dr Owais added. Dr Mir Mushtaq, senior executive member of DAK said that if Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar can operate from five distant associated hospitals, why can't be the above mentioned hospitals be associated with upcoming medical colleges. Furthermore, it takes decades to build huge infrastructure and only days to utilize already existing infrastructure Dr Mir Mushtaq added. DAK requested Advisor to Governor for Health and Medical Education, K Vijay Kumar to look into this important confronting health issue on priority and associate these hospitals with upcoming medical colleges in the larger interest of public and doctor fraternity.(KNO)