Shopian residents unhappy over poor health facilities

Shopian (Jammu and Kashmir), Nov.25 (ANI): Residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian District have expressed unhappiness over poor health facilities at the local hospital.

The hospital is the only one servicing three districts.

"This is a district hospital. District Pulwama is also in the vicinity, which is 18 kilometres from here. So, the hospital comes under tremendous pressure," said Reyaz Ahmad, a resident.

Most of the machines like X -ray and ultrasound scanners and the blood bank are in a poor condition.

"This hospital lacks facilities. If you visit the wards, you will find that there is no facility in the wards," said Siraj Wani, a patient.

Patients in critical situation have to rush 70 kilometres to Srinagar to get better treatment.

Medical Superintendent Abdul Gani Ahanger claimed that much of the infrastructure, including wards and corridors, have been renovated.

"Actually, the hospital building is approximately 50 years old.

This year we have spent around 50 lakh rupees on its renovation. Operation theatre, wards, corridors have been renovated and they have improved a lot," said Ahanger.

The construction of a new 200-bed hospital in the area is progressing slowly. By Fayaz Ahmad (ANI)