By NAK,
Srinagar : The proverb “much ado about nothing” aptly reflects the tall claims of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad regarding better medicare facilities to the people of this militancy inflicted state.
The “hollowness” of tall claims can be well imagined after visiting SMHS Hospital Srinagar, one of the oldest and famous hospitals in the valley, where the equipments, though provided by the state government, are believed to be ‘non-functional’ and out of reach from the medicos.
It is worth mentioning here that the hospital is well-equipped with latest and ultra modern facilities including advanced scientific machines. As per official figures, more than 1000 patients are visiting hospital everyday.
Much to the chagrin of common people of Srinagar that despite the availability of all modern facilities in the hospital, the patients have been forced to go for private clinics because of “inefficient staff” and “non-functional” equipments.
Sources informed News Agency of Kashmir that most of the hospital staff is not “well-qualified” to perform the job they are doing though with out any order and equipments being provided by the state government are “non-functional”.
“The level of neglect can be gauged from the fact that former Minister, who had come to SMHS hospital for check up few days back, was forced to wait for hours together as the Doctor was waiting for the BP apparatus and the nursing orderly on duty come with the BP apparatus after hours together thereby ruling the roost.
“The doctors posted here are performing their duties with responsibility but the subordinate staff posted for the purpose are either remained absent or dictating to their superiors”, a patient proffering anonymity told NAK.
The Blood Pressure checking equipment of the hospital was to be brought from another ward. Even the other equipments in the hospital were also found in poor conditions,” maintained sources.
Sources informed that the staff on duty was not fully qualified which forced the former minister to go wait for hours together. “Though all the equipments have been provided by the state government, the staff of the hospital was incapable to operate and maintains all the equipments,” added sources.
When contacted, Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma was not available for comments. (NAK)