Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Apr 23: In Valley’s lone orthopedic hospital, Bone and Joints at Barzulla, the patients suffering from bone fractures have to go through massive inconvenience as the hospital lacks cotton pads, bandage rolls and other necessary material like plaster nails, plates and joints which are required for plaster.
Several patients and their attendants told Excelsior that they were asked to buy bandage and cotton from the market which otherwise should have been available in the hospital. The B&J is a vital hospital here in Valley where dozens of patients with bone injuries throng every day.
“My mother had suffered fracture in her foot. I along with her have had to move from shop to shop to get bandage and cotton. I feel disappointed by coming here as I could have taken her to any other private nursing home without any trouble. What is the purpose of the Government hospital?” said one Zahid Ahmad.
He said the officials at the B&J Hospital told him to get everything from the market. “I could afford to buy from outside but what about poor patients who come from far flung areas of the Kashmir?” he asked. Another attendant accompanying a patient also lashed out at hospital administration for not keeping stock of emergency items.
Medical Superintendent Bone and Joints Hospital Srinagar, Abdul Rasheed, admitted that the plates, nails and joints which were earlier provided to patients free of cost have to be bought from the market. However, he said: “It is a Government policy and we are helpless. But we now buy these things in bulk and have kept it available at subsidised rates”.
When asked about the lack of cotton and bandage he said, “Supplier had some confusions and he has not delivered the stock. We have sent an order number of times. To tackle with the problem I have locally purchased cotton and bandage worth Rs 10,000.” “Plaster of Paris (POP) is available free for all patients in OPD but for those POP rolls they have to pay,” he added.
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