Protesters allege shortage of doctors, specialists, essential staff
Pulwama, Sep 18: A protest was held in Tral on Friday morning against the alleged lack of adequate healthcare facilities and manpower at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tral, with protesters demanding immediate intervention by the concerned authorities to improve patient care and ensure accountability in the functioning of the hospital.
The protest was attended by people cutting across political affiliations and several residents. They carried placards and banners with messages such as “Healthcare for All, Justice for All” and “No Politics Over People’s Lives”, while raising concerns over what they described as inadequate staffing, shortage of specialist services and deficiencies in hospital infrastructure and facilities.
Speaking during the protest, youth activist Junaid Mir questioned the present functioning of SDH Tral, alleging that the hospital was effectively providing services at the level of a Community Health Centre (CHC) despite being designated as a Sub-District Hospital.
He questioned the duty schedule and responsibilities of the Block Medical Officer (BMO), seeking greater accountability from the concerned authorities regarding the day-to-day functioning and supervision of the health institution.
“We are not protesting against any individual. Our concern is the healthcare of the people of Tral. When a hospital is designated as an SDH, people naturally expect facilities and services accordingly. Patients should not have to travel outside the area for services that should be available here,” Mir said.
Citizen Council Tral chairman Farooq Trali said healthcare facilities should not be viewed through political or constituency-based considerations, asserting that elected representatives holding ministerial positions have a broader responsibility towards people across the region.
“Ministers are elected as MLAs from their respective constituencies, but once they become ministers, they have a responsibility towards people beyond their own constituencies. Development and public facilities should reach every area equally,” he said.
The protesters alleged that several other SDHs have comparatively better facilities and specialist services, while SDH Tral continues to face shortages of doctors, specialists and other essential staff.
They alleged that despite the hospital catering to a large population from Tral and adjoining areas, patients are often compelled to visit other hospitals for consultations and treatment that, according to them, should be available locally.
The protesters also raised concerns over the functioning of the dialysis centre at the hospital, which they said was started recently but has allegedly not been functioning to its expected capacity.
They demanded that the concerned health authorities assess the availability of doctors, specialists, nursing staff, paramedics and other essential personnel at SDH Tral and take immediate measures to address the gaps.
The protesters further demanded that the hospital’s facilities be upgraded in line with its SDH status and that essential diagnostic and treatment services be made consistently available to patients.
They alleged that the hospital was facing what they described as “stepmotherly treatment” compared with other SDHs in the region, and urged the administration and health authorities to address the issue without delay.
The protesters said they would continue to raise the issue through peaceful and democratic means if their concerns were not addressed.
They appealed to the concerned authorities to conduct a comprehensive assessment of SDH Tral, address manpower shortages, strengthen specialist services, ensure proper functioning of the dialysis centre and improve overall patient care.
The protesters maintained that their demands were aimed at securing better healthcare for the people of Tral and adjoining areas and were not linked to any political affiliation—(KNO)
