Bijbehara District hospital according to locals is on papers only while the fact is that it is still a Community Health Centre where inadequate staff and infrastructure are taking a heavy toll on the patient-care as the state Health Department has miserably failed to upgrade the institution to make it a sub-district hospital in true sense.As a mark of protest locals erected a colorful banner in front of the Hospital Board that reads, “Community Health Centre Bijbehara waiting for healing touch from last 30 years.”Locals told CNS that due to non-availability of Oxygen supply in the hospital a teenager whom they identified as Vicky Tak son of Ahmedullah a resident of Bijbehara lost his life sparking massive protests some two months ago. “Director Health visited the hospital and assured that hospital will be upgraded without any delay, but nothing changed on the ground,” they said.There is no digital x-ray machine while both male and female patients are clubbed together in narrow rooms. There is no sanitation and heating facilities. Both patients and attendants shiver during the chilly days inside the hospital,” they said.
The aggrieved locals said that an attendant is forcing to bring bedding along with him while admitting a patient in the hospital. “The hospital administration believes in referrals only. A patient with minor injury or minor case is advised to get shifted to Srinagar hospitals,” they said.They alleged that the hospital lacks a Gynecologist while for some time to the shock of the patients a Dermatologist was made to act as Gynecologist. The lack of physicians, surgeons, a gynecologist and an orthopedician has severely hobbled the patient care at the hospital,” they said.According to locals the authorities have only changed its name board from the Community Health Center to the Sub-District Hospital while as there are no facilities.The hospital is actually a community health center but they have placed a signpost reading Sub district hospital. It is a mockery in the name of healthcare. The hospital lacks basic facilities,” the locals said. Despite repeated requests Medical Superintendent SDH Bijbehara could not be contacted. (CNS) (Photograph attached)