Budgam: The blood storage unit of Budgam’s Aga Syed Yousuf Memorial (ASYM) district hospital has been dysfunctional from the last two months, forcing patients, in need of blood transfusion, to visit Srinagar hospitals.
Hospital sources told Kashmir Images that the refrigerators of a blood bank suffered damage two months back due to short circuit and nothing has been done to restore the same.
“The storage equipments aren’t working and there is no one to repair them,” they said.
Because of the defunct blood bank, patients, particularly expecting mothers are being referred to Lala Ded maternity hospital Srinagar.
“If the blood of donor doesn’t match the blood of intended recipient, then later is being shown door as exchange of vital fluid is impossible at the hospital,” rued an official.
“If blood compatibility is possible, then donor has to wait outside the operation theatre for hours.”
He said that during emergency cases, like of accident, the lives of patients are being risked as blood transfusion could not be managed.
Another official complained that recently Budgam hospital collected 10 pints of blood after same were donated by local bank employees.
“But that blood was transferred to Chadoora hospital as currently this hospital has no facility for its storage and preservation,” he said.
Meanwhile, aghast locals exclaimed that every other day this hospital hits the headlines of newspapers for its poor performance. For the same, they blamed hospital and district administration and political representatives of Budgam.
When contacted, Medical Superintendent ASYM hospital Dr Deeba said, “I have informed Deputy Commissioner [Budgam] and Director [Health Services Kashmir] about the issue.”
While refuting that patients are facing any problems, she said, “No surgery was stopped as I’m managing blood from JVC hospital, Srinagar.”
