“Medical Negligence a daily routine in DH, students handling emergency, night duties; test fees collected in personal accounts after working hours”
KD News Service
Bandipora, May 12: The Residents of Bandipora district of North Kashmir on Tuesday raised renewed concerns over the functioning of healthcare and education institutions in the district after a school reportedly suspended classwork on Tuesday following traffic diversions announced for a Pad Yatra led by Manoj Sinha in Baramulla district.
According to residents, despite traffic advisories being issued in advance, an official at the school allegedly chose not to report to duty, resulting in suspension of classes for students.
The incident has once again drawn attention to wider complaints regarding public institutions in the district, particularly healthcare services, where locals allege students are frequently left to manage night shifts and emergency cases while permanent staff either report late, leave early or avoid duties altogether.
Residents claimed the district has increasingly become a “luxury posting” for several officials, doctors and teachers who allegedly operate on their own schedules with little accountability.
“Many doctors and paramedics join duties half an hour or even an hour late every day, ignore patients and leave early. Ordinary people are suffering because there is no accountability,” said a resident from Bandipora town.
Patients and attendants further alleged that after 4 pm, some students in hospitals independently collect fees for several medical tests using their personal phone numbers and bank accounts, a practice they claim continues despite repeated media reports and appeals to authorities.
“We are not against students learning, but how can serious emergency cases and night shifts be left to inexperienced students while permanent staff enjoy comfortable postings?” another resident said.
A local social activist said the situation reflects a deeper institutional problem in the district. “Recently, an official posted in the district few years ago remarked in a podcast that Bandipora is the ‘best place for stand sleep’. That statement angered many people because it matched what residents have been experiencing for years,” he said.
Another resident added, “Children lose classes over avoidable reasons while patients depend on students for treatment. If institutions continue functioning like this, public trust will only decline further.”
Locals said journalists and residents have repeatedly highlighted these issues through reports and public appeals, but little visible change has taken place on the ground.
The patients also alleged that during deliveries, attendants are asked to pay unofficial ‘treat money’ after the birth of babies, demanding action against the practice.
Permanent staff members at the hospital said the facility is facing an acute shortage of manpower, forcing the administration to utilise students and volunteers for various duties. They appealed to higher authorities to fill the staffing gaps.
Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, assured action against those allegedly involved in the practice. However, locals claimed that similar assurances from hospital authorities in the past were never followed by concrete action.
Incharge CMO Bandipora, Dr Tahira, said she will look into the matter and take it up with the hospital administration, adding that those found involved will face action.
The concerned residents appealed to Manoj Sinha and senior administration officials to personally look into the functioning of healthcare and education institutions in Bandipora and ensure accountability, regular staff attendance and proper delivery of public services in the district. (KNS)
