SHOPIAN: Lack of funds has halted the work of district hospital Shopain started in the year 2008, which according to doctors and locals has affected patientcare.
People blame government for intentionally delaying the construction of hospital building.
The hospital building is being constructed by Jammu and Kashmir projects construction corporation (JKPCC) with an estimated cost of Rs 23.50 crore. According to official sources, the foundation stone of this four storey building was laid in 2008 by the coalition government led by National Conference and Congress.
Due to the delay in the completion of this new building and lack of adequate space in the old building, doctors, staffers and patients have been put through unnecessary inconvenience. There is not adequate space for placement of machinery in an old building and the wards situated in old building are outdated and lack modern equipment and machinery.
An official from JKPCC told Kashmir Reader that from 2008 to 2016, the government didn’t release sufficient funds on time resulting in the prolonged delay in the completion of this multi-crore hospital building.
“The building was being constructed under state funds, but later the same was given to PMs national rural health mission,” he said.
The official data suggested that around three lac inhabitants of this mountainous district situated some 50 kilometres from Srinagar are dependent on this district hospital situated in main town .
A hospital employee said that there is also lack of space in operation theatre, and lighting and other facilities are not sufficient.
Meanwhile, the lift in this building is yet to be installed. According to doctors, lift is vital to shift critical and operated patients.
Deputy General manager JKPCC, Masood Ahmad Wangoo told Kashmir Reader that they already have handed over the two stories of the new building to the hospital authorities – and on third floor, JKPCC has finished the work.
“We are finalising work on the fourth floor and I hope by the end of December, we will hand over the whole building to the hospital authorities,” he said.
Wangoo said that the lift arrangement is being seen by mechanical wing and added that tenders will be finalised within a fortnight.

Raashid Hassan