SHREEN HAMDANI
Maternity healthcare forms an important paradigm of health sector .For long the Valley of Kashmir has struggled in terms of quality maternity healthcare .
Pertinently, LalDed- being a major 500- bedded maternity hospital in the whole Kashmir valley, the government is planning to set up another maternity hospital at Bemina Srinagar to improve the better medical facilities to women and to ease the pressure of patients at the valley’s lone gynecological hospital. The Centre has recently approved the funding of Rs 45.98 crore for the construction of 200 bedded maternity hospitals against which Rs 5 crore were released and work on this project has been taken up.
Authorities said that the immediate linking of old and new blocks of the hospital are under process and will get start soon to overcome the rush at old building. Many are expecting that the said development would have positive impact on the maternity healthcare of Kashmir.
Medical Superintendent, Dr. Mushtaq. A. Rather stated that we have added 30 more beds to labor room and trying to improve all facilities for the betterment of patients. We have started emergency wing, OPD and parking place in the new block’s premises for the convenience of patients and attendants. Moreover, we are working on the OT (Operation Theatre), face lifting and land spacing which will get start in the next two months.
He also added that this is the fact and I cannot avert off my eyes from the fact that there is doubling of patients on one bed in some areas but it won’t be practiced much longer. I laid stress on strict cleanliness and sanitation in the hospital. However, he appealed to the public that not to attend hospital with all visitors. There is only need of one or two attendants with a patient rest disturb the maintenance and discipline of hospital. Visitors belong to both patients’ home and in-laws home to inquire health of patient but they should bear in mind that they can visit her at home after being discharged from the hospital.
However, patients have their grievances to narrate.
The doctor’s visit to every patient but does not behave well. They only prescribe medicine and then we have to buy it ourselves. This is the government hospital and it is utterly meant for the poor people but the scenario of this hospital seems not much different to the private hospitals. The new block of the hospital is not going to make any difference to the system of hospital.
“After minor surgery, I am unable to stand, my legs are too weak. On enquiring from doctors, they are telling me that this is weakness but I fail to understand how much weakness and for how long?”, said Fehmeeda (patient) admitted in ward 18, from Sopore.