Closed OPDs, no medical tests, trigger difficulties for patients

JAMMU: As the Jammu and Kashmir administration has shifted its focus on efforts to combat the spread of deadly coronavirus and closed regular activities in government associated hospitals across the Union territory, the people suffering from other serious health ailments are facing difficulties for regular medical checkups.
Simultaneously, the defunct helpline numbers issued by Jammu and Kashmir health department for online medical consultation and termination of regular medical tests are further adding to the suffering of the patients.
Moreover, the private clinics are also not functioning properly in Jammu and Kashmir due to lockdown imposed by authorities till April 15.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the backdrop of COVID-19, the J&K administration on March 24, decided to close the routine activities in government associated hospitals.
“I had some health problem related to the stomach, a private doctor advised me an urgent endoscopy but Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H), Jammu denied the same. Then I consulted a private laboratory for the endoscopy after which it conducted after 3 days,” a 60-year-old patient told The News Now.
He added that private clinics are also not functioning properly due to nationwide lockdown.
“It is quite tough to get treatment on time during these restrictions imposed by authorities to combat COVID-19. The delay in the treatment poses risk to lives people, who are already suffering from health aliments,’’ he said.
“I am in my pregnancy and a regular patient of Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital, Jammu (SMGSH) but due to ongoing lockdown the administration has denied regular checkups,” a lady, wishing not to be named, told The News Now.
“Fearing infection, many patients suffering from serious health ailments like Cancer, Tuberculosis and Kidney diseases are not visiting in the hospital premises,” a health official said.
“Ironically, the majority of private contact numbers of doctors shared in the roaster of online consultation are not working or the doctors are not receiving the calls,” he alleged.
“Not only this, but the existing patients in the hospitals are also not getting proper treatment due to absence of doctors. The majority of doctors are avoiding visiting the hospital premises fearing exposure to the deadly coronavirus,” he added.
Lauding the efforts of administration for combating deadly coronavirus, a health expert said that the government must dedicate a health institution whether Public Health Centre (PHC) or Community Health Centre (CHC) for the public with adequate number of doctors amid this crisis.
“We are conducting the medical tests of the patients, who arrived in the emergency ward of the SMGSH while the general medical tests are on halt due to current situation,” Medical Superintendent Manoj Chalotra said.
“The OPD is closed since last many days and medical tests are halted. Despite the fact that doctors are busy in catering to the rush of patients related to this deadly virus, the GMC&H are conducting all the emergency tests,” Medical Superintendent GMC&H, Dara Singh said.
He added, “The Health and Medical Education Department has constituted a team of doctors for online consultation, if the people have any serious, they can consult these teams.”

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