Bandipora, Mar 05: Former Minister and senior PDP leader Naeem Akhter on Thursday expressed grave concern over the reported shortage of life-saving Erythropoietin (EPO) injections at District Hospital Bandipora, stating that the situation amounts to “playing with the lives” of dialysis patients.
In a statement, Akhter said it was shocking that patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and undergoing dialysis at the hospital are being forced to purchase costly injections from the open market due to their unavailability at the government facility.
“It is deeply disturbing that such an essential medicine has remained unavailable for nearly a month while patients continue to suffer. Dialysis patients already face immense physical and financial hardships and compelling them to buy expensive injections from the market is highly unfortunate,” he said.
Akhter said the development raises serious questions about the functioning of the health administration in the district, particularly when the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is stationed there but appears unaware of what is happening under his own nose.
“This reflects clear administrative negligence and lack of proper monitoring. If essential medicines run out for weeks, it points towards serious lapses in the system that cannot be ignored,” he added.
The former minister urged the Health Minister to immediately take cognisance of the matter and order a thorough inquiry into the shortage.
“The Health Minister must intervene without delay and ensure accountability. Playing with the lives of dialysis patients is unacceptable, and those responsible for such negligence must be held accountable,” Akhter said.
He also called for ensuring an uninterrupted supply of life-saving medicines in all government hospitals so that patients, particularly those battling critical illnesses, do not have to suffer due to administrative lapses.
