KINS Desk
Srinagar, May 15 (KINS) : Despite declared unsafe by Fire and Services Department, the Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) Sherbagh Anantnag continues to function in dilapidated buildings thus risking the lives of people.
The MCCH is associated hospital of Government Medical College Anantnag. It receives patients from four district including Anantnag, Kulgam, Banihal and Kishtwar.
However, the 110 bedded hospital craves for attention.
“This hospital lacks everything. It has two old building one for OPD and other where patients are admitted, both have been declared unsafe by Fire and Services Department. Washrooms are in a dilapidated condition,” an official of the hospital told news agency KINS.
The official said the successive governments have shown no concern for up gradation of the hospital. “We feel insecure in this hospital. Any eventuality could take place at any time as its walls have developed severe cracks,” the official said.
The hospital always remains overcrowded. Most of the times, two patients have to share one bed. Many a times patients are being referred to Srinagar maternity hospital due to lack of space.
There is no ventilator available and the hospital has just one theatre with two beds. “The MCCH has one labour ward and no accommodation for doctors. There is no facility of digital X-ray,” the official said.
The official said during 2018, R&B Khanabal spent Rs 26 lakh on the renovation of the hospital. “But was a wastage of money,” he added.
Senior gynecologist Dr Fouzia said 15 to 20 cesarean surgeries are being conducted at the hospital on an average daily.
Principal Government Medical College Anantnag Dr Showkat Jeelani admitted that buildings of MCCH have been declared unsafe. “The government has taken over a private hospital at KP Road where new hospital at the cost of Rs 12 crore is being constructed. So far, four crore have been released. But since August last year, the under construction building has been occupied by security forces,” Dr Jeelani told news agency KINS. “It is not possible to install centrally oxygen supply for the ventilator as the building is unsafe,” he added.
The MCCH Anantnag was recently in news after death of three pregnant women.
The latest victim was Masrat Jan wife of Riyaz Ahmad resident of Manzmoo Qazigund who died at MCCH Anantnag. Earlier, 35-year-old Ruqaya, wife of Javed Ahmad from Kharpora-Larnoo village in Kokernag, a designated red zone, died at MCCH, after delivering stillborn twins.
Her body was handed over to the family for last rites. A day after her test returned positive for coronavirus.
While Shakeela, 30, wife of Zahoor Ahmad from Salia village died allegedly due to delay in her treatment at SDH Seer. She was declared bought dead at MCCH Anantnag.
Fearing her samples may be taken for COVID19 testing, the family took the body out of the hospital on a stretcher trolley.
A video also went viral on social media wherein wailing family members were seen carrying her body on a trolley on the road. (KINS)
