Patient care at Sub District Hospital Kupwara has been hit badly to the non-functional CT-scan machine for over a month, leaving patients in distress.
As a result of un-availability of this vital diagnostic facility, patients are left with no choice, other than moving to private clinics for the want of the same.
The residents have expressed strong resentment against authorities for failing to repair the machine even after the passage of over one month.
“The CT scan machine often faces glitches forcing patients to look for other alternatives. The existing machine happens to be an old one and often develops technical snags. I am unable to figure out why authorities are not taking concrete steps to replace this old machine with a new one,” a local social activist, Irfan Malik told Greater Kashmir.
“The lack of urgency in repairing the CT scan machine at SDH Kupwara is appalling, considering the hospital serves lakhs of people from surrounding areas, including Karnah, Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Chowkibal, Kumkadi, Jumagund and others. The inaction of higher authorities raises questions about their priorities and sensitivity towards the healthcare needs of this region” Malik added.
“The defunct CT scan machine at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara has become a significant hindrance to quality healthcare, forcing patients to seek expensive private facilities. The machine’s prolonged malfunction has resulted in numerous patients, including a relative of mine, being compelled to undergo CT scan at a private clinic at an exorbitant cost of Rs 2,500. This is not only a financial burden but also a clear indication of the healthcare system’s failure to provide accessible and affordable medical care to those in need,” said another local.
Meanwhile, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kupwara, Dr Mohammad Shafi acknowledged the hardships being faced by the patients due to out-of-order CT-scan machine. “The CT machine has developed a technical snag which requires over 30 lakh to get it fixed according to the engineers. We have approached to Director Health Services Kashmir to get the required amount so that the machine could be repaired immediately” BMO added.
Meanwhile, Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kupwara Mir Fayaz told Greater Kashmir that he has taken up the issue with the higher ups to fix the technical snag. He added that not only an MRI worth Rs 25 crore but a new CT-scan machine will be installed at SDH Kupwara for the larger interest of the people.
