Amarnath row: Doctors, paramedics on mass leave

Jammu, Aug 4 (UNI) Doctors and paramedical staff of Government Medical College and Associated Hospital today went on a mass casual leave in support of agitation for restoration of land to Shri Amarnath Shirne Board in South Kashmir.

Healthcare services at the winter capital city, which were badly hit by the present stalemate due to the ongoing agitation and curfew, suffered a major blow when the doctors and paramedical staff of the premier health institution went on a one-day casual leave in support of Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti's agitation, hospital sources said.

''Only the emergency wards were functioning in the GMC and its Associated Hospitals while work in other wards was completely paralysed,'' a source said.

Superintendent of GMC Jammu Dr Romesh Gupta confirmed to UNI that the staff had gone on a one-day mass casual leave. ''We are, however, running the emergency services smoothly,'' Dr Gupta said.

With GMC Jammu facing acute shortage of blood, Dr Gupta has made a general appeal for voluntary donation to meet the emergency requirements.

''The response to my appeal has been very positive. Many people have come up to donate blood. Some police personnel, including SSP Shafqat Watali donated blood. Many other private organisations have approached for the noble cause'' the Superintendent added.

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