RAMNAGAR, Jul 11: The Senior Citizens Club Ramnagar has expressed concern over the healthcare facilities available at the Sub-District Hospital, alleging that the institution has virtually become a referral centre due to the lack of adequate medical infrastructure, specialist doctors and emergency treatment facilities.
Speaking on the issue, Shivdev Singh, President of the Senior Citizens Club Ramnagar, said patients suffering from emergencies such as rabies caused by dog and monkey bites, acute hypertension and other life-threatening conditions often fail to receive timely treatment at the hospital and are referred to Udhampur or Jammu.
“The Sub-District Hospital Ramnagar has become merely a referral centre. Patients requiring immediate treatment are often referred elsewhere because of the absence of specialists, advanced equipment and trained staff, especially during night hours. This situation is causing immense hardship to the people of this remote area,” Shivdev Singh said.
He alleged that after regular duty hours, there is a shortage of expert doctors and trained healthcare workers to handle emergency cases, resulting in critical patients being shifted to higher medical centres, with some reportedly losing their lives while being transported.
The Club also highlighted the absence of essential medical facilities, including CT Scan, MRI and Digital X-ray machines, besides shortages of specialists such as surgeons, orthopaedic doctors, anaesthetists, dental specialists and maternity and child health experts.
Shivdev Singh urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Health Department to immediately assess the situation and strengthen the hospital by providing modern diagnostic equipment, filling vacant specialist posts and ensuring round-the-clock emergency medical services.
He said improving healthcare infrastructure at the hospital would greatly reduce the difficulties faced by residents and help save precious lives in the remote Ramnagar region.