Srinagar: The absence of female staff in electrocardiogram (ECG) rooms at several government hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a concern for women patients, many of whom say they feel uncomfortable undergoing the procedure in the presence of male technicians.
Several women and their attendants told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the lack of female technicians often causes embarrassment and, in some cases, discourages patients from undergoing the test immediately, potentially delaying the diagnosis of cardiac ailments.
Rukhsana Bano, who recently visited a district hospital in south Kashmir, said she postponed her ECG for several hours after learning that only a male technician was available.
“I was advised to undergo an ECG immediately, but I felt extremely uncomfortable when I found that only a male technician was present. I waited for hours, hoping a female staff member would become available, but there was none,” she said.
Another woman from north Kashmir said the procedure requires exposure of the chest area, making many women hesitant when no female technician is available.
“Some women even skip the ECG despite medical advice because there is no female staff member. The government should ensure that female technicians are posted in ECG rooms for women patients,” she said.
Medical professionals acknowledged that patient privacy and comfort are important aspects of healthcare delivery.
A senior physician, requesting anonymity, said an ECG is often the first and most important investigation in diagnosing cardiac emergencies.
“An ECG is a simple, quick and frequently life-saving test. If patients delay or avoid it because they are uncomfortable, it can affect timely diagnosis and treatment. Availability of trained female staff would improve patient confidence and healthcare outcomes,” the doctor said.
Health experts said the issue could be addressed through administrative measures by ensuring that every district and sub-district hospital has at least one trained female technician or healthcare worker available to assist women patients during ECG examinations.
Patients and attendants have urged the Health and Medical Education Department to frame a policy for deploying female staff in ECG rooms across government hospitals.
“Female staff are routinely deployed in departments where women’s privacy is a priority. A similar arrangement should be made in ECG rooms as well. It is not only about convenience but also about preserving the dignity, privacy and comfort of women patients,” said Haseena, an attendant at a hospital in Pulwama.
The patients have appealed to Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene and ensure the availability of trained female staff in ECG rooms so that women can access essential diagnostic services without hesitation or discomfort
