M.S. terms it baseless says Hospital received cleanliness award
Masrat Nabi
Baramulla : Poor sanitation conditions in the District Hospital Baramulla in north Kashmir have added to the adversities of ailing patients, as per a reality check operation conducted in the hospital by Kashmir Despatch.
Despite tall claims of the state government to improve the health sector in the Kashmir, patients visiting District hospital Baramula complained of poor hygienic conditions in the hospital.
Scores of patients at the hospital said the condition of the hospital especially the washrooms is really poor. They said they were at high risk of infection due to poor hygiene in the hospital.
Patients and their attending relatives visiting District hospitals Baramulla keep complaining about the toilets, especially those meant for use by the public, remain in a pathetic shape. There is stink in the air, with urine on the floor and the water taps not working.
While on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan occasions, “The doctors also cleaned the hospital for one day and forgot all about it the next day claimed patients.
Fatima begum (54), a resident of Kanispoora who visited the hospital for a routine check-up was appalled at the condition of the toilet there. With no water, the toilets are wreaking of urine, which made her nauseous.
Why doesn’t one prefer to go to government hospitals for treatment, despite the best of medical practitioners being available there?
The several reasons could include poor diagnostic facilities, substandard medicare or negligent para-medical staff, but the biggest reason turns out to be insanitary conditions in the hospitals, especially the stench that envelops the hospitals mainly due to improper maintenance of toilets.
Such situation can cause a serious infection to the patients with open wounds. Most of the toilets at the hospital are clogged with filth causing immense inconvenience to the patients and their attendants.
Najama Begum, a patient of the labour ward told Kashmir Despatch, “Whenever I go to the washroom, I feel like throwing up..
Some of the visitor interviewed by Kashmir Despatch said unusable toilets forced them to urinate and defecate in the open. They cannot enter those stinking toilets.
“The hospital’s toilets are filthy and stinking. Considering that all visitors use these washrooms, Officials should keep these clean. Sanitation workers need to pay more attention” said Ms Iram who was attending to a relative admitted there.
Though the hospital administration again claims that they always work hard to keep the toilets clean, but the ground reality is very different.
The toilets in the hospital are “very dirty” and in “subhuman” condition. Interestingly, sources reveal that the toilets reserved for staffs are clean.
Patients say that a nauseating smell pervades in and around bathrooms as the authorities take no measures to prevent the foul smell.
“Though we don’t complain about the treatment, but going to the washrooms in this hospital is like visiting a hell on earth. They stink to high heaven and those visiting these are prone to infections,” Mehfooza Bhat from Boniyar, who was accompanying her sister for treatment, said to Kashmir Despatch.
She added that situation is worse in the flush toilets which remain always blocked due to lack of water. It is terrible to be here. One can contract dangerous diseases on visiting here for the treatment,” she said and added each time she visits the toilet she vomits because of the heavy stench emanating from human feces.
Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Baramulla Dr Syed Masood termed this allegation as baseless and said that DH hospital had received an award on the bases of cleanliness so it’s unfair to call that we are not providing hygienic services to the patients.
While asked Kashmir Despatch have a proper footage based on that evidence organisation is claiming he commented,earlier one of the journalist entered the hospital premises and made the flour dirty with his own shoe then recorded a video to superfluous the image of hospital. He said that DH hospital Baramulla is a reputed institution covers up all basic services. He, however said that visit hospital with the evidence and accordingly i will look into this matter.
Video attached
Chief Medical Officer Baramulla Deeba Khan told Kashmir Despatch that she is not authorized to talk on this issue.
Principal of Govt Medical College Baramulla Abdul Hameed was not available for comments as his mobile was switched off when this reporter contacted.
