Bandipora, Nov 06 (KNO): Concerns have risen in Bandipora over the recent directive from the Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) to transfer the blood storage refrigerator from District Hospital Bandipora to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore.
The order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), has led to concerns among the local residents of the district who said there is an already fragile healthcare scenario in Bandipora.
The Blood Refrigerator has been sanctioned by the World Bank. The locals while speaking to KNO questioned the compliance with regulations and proper procedures by the Health Director.
They said that previously the transfer of multi-crore theatre workstations, also funded by the World Bank for District Hospital Bandipora, to Kreeri, Baramulla on the direction of the Director Health caused substantial setbacks to the district’s health sector.
“This latest decision is also arbitrary, and is being made under political influences,” they said, adding, “Such decisions might benefit some political parties but at the cost of Bandipora's citizens, who are being victimised.”
Residents also raised concerns about the “failure” of the district administration to stop the “surrender” of “such essential equipment”.
According to locals, the District Hospital Bandipora’s theatres were already impaired due to a previous relocation and the subsequent “surrender” of the Blood Storage Refrigerator would further erode the district's “already fragile” healthcare system.
“The constant shifting of vital medical equipment from our district hospital to other places is appalling. It is affecting our healthcare. We need it back here for our people,” said Shafeeq Ahmad, a local.
Saleem, another local, said the move seems a “deliberate attempt to cripple our health facilities”. “It is concerning how politics overshadows the needs of the common people. Shifting equipment from one place to another won't solve healthcare issues. Rather it is making matters worse for us. We need our resources back,” he said.
Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, explained to KNO that the order was issued based on the availability of the blood storage refrigerator. "If the refrigerator at DH Bandipora is in working condition, relocating it to DH Sopore might not be viable. Transitioning from a defunct system to a functional one may pose challenges in ensuring seamless operations. Therefore, if the refrigerator at DH Bandipora is operational, it may not be feasible to relocate it elsewhere.”—(KNO)