Suhail Rather
Bandipora, July 04: In a distressing turn of events, patients seeking medical treatment at District Hospital of North Kashmir's Bandipora are facing severe hardships due to the hospital administration's decision to close the drug counter at 4 PM.
As per the details available with Kashmir Convener, this action, driven by alleged lobbied interests, has left vulnerable patients with no choice but to purchase medicines from external pharmacies, exacerbating their financial burden.
The details also reveal that the hospital, equipped with only one regular pharmacist, had initially outsourced the services of five additional pharmacists to ensure the smooth functioning of the drug counter. However, the outsourcing was conducted without proper guidelines or consideration for the impact on the patients, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
When questioned about the unauthorized outsourcing during a public inquiry, the hospital administration shockingly chose to prioritize undisclosed influences over the well-being of the community. Instead of rectifying the situation and addressing the concerns of the patients, they callously terminated the outsourced pharmacists, leading to the abrupt closure of the drug counter at 4 PM, the details added.
The repercussions of this decision have been keenly felt by the local residents, who rely on the hospital for affordable medication. "It's distressing to witness how poor patients are being unfairly burdened due to the closure of the drug counter. They are now forced to seek expensive alternatives from outside shops, adding to their already substantial financial struggles," said a patient who visited hospital on June 03 evening.
Another patient said that the closure of the drug counter at 4 PM is especially detrimental to patients who visit the hospital during evening hours. They have limited options and often have to choose between their health and financial stability.
The closure of the drug counter not only disrupts access to essential medications but also reflects a blatant disregard for the welfare of the most vulnerable members of society. The alleged lobbyism by the hospital administration demonstrates a troubling prioritization of personal interests over the well-being of the community, he added.
The locals of Bandipora are now demanding swift action from the hospital administration to rectify the situation and prioritize the needs of the patients. They urge the hospital administration to reinstate the outsourced pharmacists, extend the operating hours of the drug counter, and implement transparent guidelines to ensure uninterrupted access to medication for all patients, regardless of their economic status.
They also appealed to Deputy Commissioner Bandipora to look into the matter so that poor patients are not taken for a ride all the time.
