Srinagar: A year after the government terminated the services of an ophthalmologist engaged under National Health Mission (NHM); authorities at the Gousia Hospital Khanyar have allegedly failed to arrange an ophthalmologist on a full-time basis, which is patients say is troubling them big time.
Patients seeking treatment for eye-ailments at the multidisciplinary hospital told ‘Kashmir Images’ that the hospital management has so far not been able to arrange an ophthalmologist on a full-time basis, a year after the previous one was disengaged by the government.
The aggrieved patients claimed that since Gousia Hospital does not have a full-time consultant ophthalmologist, they are forced to either consult a private physician, or go to JLNM Hospital at Rainawari, which is constantly overcrowded.
“Besides the one engaged under NHM (Dr Sajad Qanungo), there were two more ophthalmologists at Gousia Hospital. However both of them were also transferred to some other place. Those who come here looking for ophthalmic care always return disappointed, because appointments are available on Wednesday and Saturday only,” Ruqaya, a patient told ‘Kashmir Images’.
The patients and their attendants appealed to the administration to arrange a full-time consultant ophthalmologist for the hospital so that people won’t suffer anymore.
Abdul Ahad Ganai, another patient from Zaina Kadal alleged that patients are being asked to visit JLNM Hospital for treatment.
When contacted, Dr Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, spokesman for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, told ‘Kashmir Images’ that patients will have to bear till a full time arrangement is available in the hospital. He said the administration is aware of the issues confronting patients.
“The matter is in the pipeline and I hope the issue will be addressed as early as possible,” he added.
Medical Superintendent Government Gousia Hospital, Dr Tariq said that an ophthalmologist treats patients thrice a week but so far no fulltime arrangement was made after the previous one was terminated from services last year.
“I hope people will avail fulltime ophthalmic services at Gousia Hospital from this month,” Dr Tariq told Kashmir Images.
