Suhail Rather
Bandipora, 25 August: An Ultrasonography (USG) machine is lying defunct at District Hospital Bandipora for the past one month now, putting the life of many patients in the area at grave risk.
Locals of the area said that the District Hospital (DH) caters to patient-care of around 3 lakhs population in the area.
The lone USG machine at the hospital, lying dysfunctional for month now has raised a lot of questions on the overall medical-care facilities in the region, while the locals claim that “despite several intimations the authorities are yet to respond.”
“With no other (USG) machine available, the patients especially pregnant women are facing a lot of hardships, the locals said.
One local resident said that the machine had developed some fault month ago but the hospital authorities have not been able to repair it since, leaving them dependent on private diagnostic centers.
The patients especially critical patients are facing lots of problems due to lack of the facility inside the hospital,” said Gh Rasool who was attending an emergency patient.
Locals blamed hospital authorities of carelessness and held them responsible for the damage caused to the USG machine.
Medical Superintendent DH Bandipora, Dr Bashir Ahmad said he has taken up the issue with the concerned higher ups and the same shall be repaired at earliest. He said there is only one company in the valley that is repairing these digital machines and hence takes time to repair the machine.
Residents appeal District Development Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad to personally intervene in the matter to get the USG machine repairs or find alternative for the same. (PTK)
