| Kashmir has 9 maternity hospitals, Jammu none | | Discrimination continues | | PS Bali
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 25: Even when the mortality rate is deteriorating in Jammu, the winter capital continues to be a victim of discrimination in health sector. For example, while there are nine full-fledged maternity hospitals in the Valley, Jammu has got none.
According to the website of Health Department, there is no full-fledged maternity hospital in Jammu, whereas the Kashmir Valley enjoys nine.
Out of the nine maternity hospitals in Kashmir, six are concentrated in Ganderbal district alone, while three are established in Srinagar.
Moreover, in Jammu, on the name of maternity hospital, Sri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) hospital is taking care of the child births. It however lacks infrastructure.
"The SMGS has no surgery ward, and the neonates are shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) in case of emergency," said a senior doctor, wishing anonymity.
The doctor said the premier maternity and paediatric hospital in Jammu city has been running without a paediatric surgery department since its establishment.
"Since the inception of this department, the much-needed paediatric surgery department is missing. Hence, neonates are shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, a 15-20 minutes journey, during which anything can happen," said the doctor, adding that everyday nearly 1,200 patients visit OPD of the hospital.
"Contrary to tall claims of government, a large number of patients fails to get required surgeries done due to unavailability of paediatric surgery department in the SMGS hospital," the doctor said.
The GMC hospital has two paediatric surgeons, who have been working in general surgery ward. They are unable to perform surgery in the SMGS hospital owing to absence of required infrastructure.
"The administration had time and again informed the higher authorities about the issue, but nothing has been done so far," said the doctor, adding that they cannot do anything in this regard as decision has to be taken by the government.
Envisaged in 2012, the maternity hospital at Gandhi Nagar is still under construction. It was scheduled to be completed by ending 2015 and has missed several deadlines. |
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