Taking note of poor sanitation and unavailability of basic testing facilities at Govt Leprosy Hospital Nigeen, the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell has registered a couple of complaints in this regard. The cell has issued two separate letters addressed to Principal, GMC & Associated Hospitals, directing her to take immediate action in this regard.

This newspaper had carried two news items titled ‘No ‘Swacheta’ for the lone Leprosy hospital in Kashmir’ and ‘ ‘Hospital’, where even a urine examination is not carried out’ on September 23, 24 respectively, highlighting the issues of  poor sanitation and non-availability of basic testing facility at the historic leper hospital.

Two separate letters have been issued by the cell in this regard, copies of which are lying with Kashmir Vision. In the first letter, written to Principal GMC & Associated Hospitals, on the issue of absence of separate toilet facility for female staff at Government Leprosy hospital, letter reads, “I am directed by the coordinator Hon’ble Chief Ministers Grievance Cell to enclose the news item as reported by Kashmir Vision on 23rd September 2017, regarding the subject cited above (absence of separate toilet facility for female staff at Government Leprosy hospital).”

The letter further states that reportedly, the hospital does not have a separate toilet facility for its female staff, besides, the existing toilet facility is not fit to be used due to filthiness. “These toilets are mostly used by the male staff of the hospital which causes inconvenience to the female staff,” the letter reads.

In this regard a complaint vide number 73514 has been registered by the cell and the letter has been dispatched along with the news report carried by this news paper to the addressee in order to take immediate and appropriate action in light of the news report.

Similarly, another letter has also been dispatched to Principal, GMC & Associated Hospitals regarding the non availability of basic testing facility at Govt Leprosy Hospital. This newspaper had reported that the patients are forced to get the tests done from private clinics or at the Health Centre Lal Bazar as the lab in the Leper hospital is not equipped enough to carry out the simplest of tests.

On this issue, the Principal has been directed to act immediately to resolve the problem, with the Cell registering complaint vide number 73517.

Earlier, this reported had talked to CMO, Srinagar Dr Dildar Mir regarding the issues of absence of basic testing lab at the hospital, he, however said that the Department cannot afford, and it is not possible to establish a laboratory there, “there are only 80 patients living in the colony and it’s not possible to establish a lab for them, and the hospital is meant to cater to the needs of only 80 or so patients,” he had said.

On the issue of absence of separate toilet facility for female staff at hospital, he had said that he was aware of the issue and will look into the matter, “yes, that’s the issue there; I will see what I can do.”

Guest