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Healthcare system in farflung regions of Chenab Valley still primitive, Needs Chief Minister intervention

Young Bites. Dated: 2/19/2018 11:10:28 AM

By RAJA SHAFQAT SHEIKH
Despite tall claims of Health Ministry to provide better medicare facilities at the door steps of every nook and corner of the State through numerous State and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, due to the lack of doctors and even para-medical staff in the hospitals of Chenab Valley erstwhile Doda district including Ramban, Doda , and Kishtwar people have no other option but to travel 200 km to Jammu even for the treatment of common ailments.
The Health Sub Centers , PHC’s and Trauma Centers in rural areas are the worse example of the pathetic attitude of the Govt towards medicare facilities in these areas. The Jammu and Kashmir government is running Public Health Centers (PHCs) and Trauma Centers in some parts of the Chenab Valley in violation of staff requirement norms and operates these from rented accommodations with damaged infrastructure. As a result, these Health centers still operates within the same infrastructure as it had before being opened in some rooms . Despite having the knowledge of poor condition of hospitals across the state and particularly in rural areas of Chenab valley, JK Health Minister Bali Bhagat vows development in Health Department, narrates his working style in public meetings and before State/ Union BJP leaders but reality differs to his fictions. Acute space shortage has badly hit services at Primary Health Center where health employees and doctors are finding it difficult to cater to the increasing patient rush.
Chenab Valley lying on the bank of river Chenab and is covered with beautiful Lofty Mountains and hills as its geography lies in between Jammu and Kashmir and is oftenly known as “AND” valley , because there is inequality in the distribution of facilities in this region in our State.
Right from the Freedom , People have to face lot of problems right from the beginning, and the Government often ignore this region. If we analyse “Health Department” that persists in this region. It will be clear that this region has kept on the Mercy of “Almighty ALLAH” . Being a resident of rural region Bunjwah I opinion the fact that there are some drawbacks that lies in health department of Chenab region and needs the intervention of Hon’ble Chief Minister for smooth Health care facilities.
” Vacant posts in Health department ” , There are numbers of vacant posts in health department in our state , especially in Chenab valley hospitals, that need to be fulfilled by the State Government at an earliest. There should be more than two “Super Speciality Hospitals” with proper Infra Structure and accommodation in this region so as critical patients must be treated as soon as possible. “Negligence of Doctors”, Doctors are considered as the best Professional persons in the world . Before taking Medical Degree they have to take a Hippocratic Oath, that they will save the life of their patients from the pain and despair . But there are few doctors who take full responsibility of this Oath as more prefer private practice more than their duty. They direct their patients to come to their Clinics as they have made a business of this “Pious Profession”. ” Medical Facilities” , Medical facilities are negligible in this region. The equipments used are of old age full of rust. Medical Aid provided by the government , free in this regions are sold in the market by the Authority members for their own benefits. ” Proper Transportation in Hospital” , There are few Ambulances available in hospitals in chenab valley and in some PHC’s there is no proper arrangement of transport. The Ambulances Service must reach to the patient on telephonic call as soon as possible so as patient shall be shifted for proper medical examination. Unfortunately due to bad road connectivity most of the critical patients lost their breath before reaching to the hospital. Pragnent womens have to face lot of problems at while Parturition. “Negligence of Government” , The Health Minister and their Corresponding Authority paid little heed towards this region as the Health Minister hails from same region. They kept for the Mercy of “Almighty ALLAH” . Doctors are not made responsible by government. for the livelihood of the people. “Shortage of Health Sub Centres”, Chenab Valley comprises large number of villages in all three districts. Each village should have Sub Centre for the cure of wide spread of diseases with good medical facilities. “Sub Standard Drugs”…. It is common in this region, even an “illiterate” person with any Medical knowledge are allowed to distribute drugs. Most Medical shops solds drugs with no authority to control them. It is need of hour to check the drugs sold in markets .
“Posting of Highly Experienced Doctors” , In this region , Highly experienced, honest and dedicated doctors are not posted. They don’t prefer to serve the people in this region. Most of the doctors manage their transfer to the comfortable region, On the back of political leaders.
“Private Clinics, As mentioned above, Doctors prefer private practise in the region more than their duty. They direct their patients to come to their clinic for better treatment. They have made business of this “Pious Profession”. ” Shortage of Infrastructure”, In Hospitals of chenab valley, It is a common problem in this region, and the working on government plans are very very slow over the past few decades , that clearly shows the interest of State Government and legislatures toward Health sector in chenab valley. It is important to mention here that peoples living in rural areas have to visit district hospitals for common ailments as the current strength of staff, and accommodation of Health centers, PHC’s and Trauma Centers it is impossible to run the same during late night hours. It is the time that Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti shall take a strong note in improving better health care system in rural areas of Chenab valley so that people of this hill and far off area take sign of relief.
( The author is resident of rural area Bunjwah and State Media Director Human Right Council & Crime Intelligence Force , State Secretary All India Reporters Association Jammu and Kashmir ,Member International Human Rights and Crime Control Organization and can be reached at rajashafqatsheikh@gmail.com , 09018920786 , 09419974577