Meer Irfan
Doctors at Zainapora, Shopian Sub-district Hospital faced a huge backlash and protests from locals after some of the expecting women, who were allotted today’s due date, were denied surgery citing that no anaesthetist was available at the hospital premises. Reportedly, at least 6 pregnant women were assigned today’s due date.
A pregnant lady alleged that she was assigned today’s due date. She said that she had been fasting since yesterday and that the doctors had performed all the necessary procedures, but she was later told that the anaesthetist Dr. Shabir Ah Langoo was not available.
“If the anaesthetist wasn’t available why was I allotted today’s due date,” she asked.
Meanwhile, a doctor present at the Hospital premises said that the whole fiasco happened due to the absence of the anaesthetist Mr. Shabir Langoo, who hailed from Srinagar. Mr. Langoo, he said, wasn’t able to make it to the hospital since his mother was unwell.
He further explained that on a daily basis, there’s a tentative list of 4-5 such patients at the hospital and thus, in a similar fashion there was list of 6 patients for today, as well. He also said that they had expected that the anaesthetist at the District Hospital, Shopian would handle the patients today but he, too, was caught up in the operation theatre at the district hospital.
He also added that gynaecologist Dr. Sami Ullah had reviewed the patients and there was no medical emergency, as per him. “If there emerges some emergency, we will immediately move the patient to the District Hospital using our ambulance, where the theatre is functional. One of these patients might need that and we have the arrangements for that. Rest of these patients have been allotted different dates,” he said.
He assured the attendants that in case of emergency, the patients will be taken care of.
“Every woman’s life is valuable. They face numerous issues during pregnancy. And both, the new born and the mother need supervision,” an agitated protestor said.
Meanwhile, another attendant alleged that they were asked to go to Shopian Hospital. “Where will we get the money to pay there?” asked the attendant.
The local residents requested that the DC Office, Shopian takes strict action against the irresponsible doctors.
Locals appealed to the DC Shopian and LG Manoj Sinha to take immediate action so that such issues are prevented in the future.