J&K High court concerned over non-functioning of paediatric ward

Srinagar, 28 (UNI) Expressing strong resentment over inadequate staff in Handwara hospital, particularly non-operationalisation of a state-of-the-art paediatric ward the, Jammu and Kashmir High Court issued a show cause notice against the authorities.

A single bench comprising Justice Mohammad Maqbool Mir issued the show cause notice to Health department officials on a petition filed by local residents alleging that the paediatric ward, constructed by the Indian Navy in memory of 20 school children drowned in a boat capsize in Wullar Lake on May 30 last year remained, non-functional.

They said no doctor or paramedical staff was posted in the hospital after the Navy chief in presence of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on June 30 this year.

Admitting the petition Justice Mir issued the notice to Director Health, Commissioner secretary health, Superintendent of the hospital.

They were directed to file objections within four weeks.

The Defence Ministry spokesman has also expressed serious concern over the non-operationalisation of paediatric ward.

A defence minister spokesman recently said that it was a cause of concern that even after six months of inauguration of the paediatric ward, the state Health Department has been unable to provide the requisite staff for making it operational.

He said the medical equipment worth thousands of rupees are lying unused.

He said the paediatric ward remained locked for fear of theft of expensive medical equipment provided by the Indian Navy.

''The plight of the ailing children of Rajwar continues to be miserable. The aggrieved parents have approached the authorities to intervene in the matter''the spokesman said.

On May 30 in 2006, a navy boat ferrying nearly 40 students from the Burning Candle High School of Handwara town in Kupwara district for a joyride capsized in the Wullar Lake at Watlab, about 75 km from here. As many as 20 students and two staff members of the school drowned in the incident.

UNI