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| Cancer Patients Cry for Help: Delays in Medicine at GMC Udhampur Put Lives at Risk | | | ASHWANI SHARMA
Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, July 16: Cancer patients in Udhampur are raising alarm after being left without essential medicines for the past about four months. The crisis began following the conversion of the District Hospital into the Associated Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur - a move intended to upgrade healthcare services but which has so far caused immense hardship for critically ill patients.
"When this was just a District Hospital, we received our medicines on time. Since it became GMC, everything has slowed down," said a cancer patient currently undergoing treatment. "If the delay continues, the treatment we've already undergone will become useless."
According to patients and their families, repeated visits to the hospital have yielded no results. Each time, they're told the same thing - "The medicines will arrive next week." That "next week" has now stretched into four months, pushing poor and vulnerable patients into a dangerous limbo.
A local social activist questioned the administrative inaction.
"What is the reason behind this delay? Only the hospital officials can answer that. But if life-saving medicines aren't reaching patients, it is a clear case of administrative negligence. Timely treatment is the hospital's core responsibility."
Highlighting public apathy, he added, "Two days ago, four MLAs from Udhampur district attended the inauguration of an ambulance donated by a private individual to the Khalsa Team at Adarsh Colony. Yet in the last four months, none of them have intervened in this crisis. Why the silence on such a critical issue?"
The situation is even worse for economically weaker patients who cannot afford expensive cancer drugs from private pharmacies.
"We are fighting a deadly disease. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has promised free treatment for people like us. But what's the use of those promises if local negligence is putting our lives in danger?" said another patient, visibly emotional.
The ongoing shortage has triggered widespread concern in the district. Residents have appeals to Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Ms. Saloni Rai, to personally intervene and raise the matter with higher health authorities. An urgent appeal has also been made to the Jammu and Kashmir Health Department.
"Cancer is not just an illness - it's a fight for life. Every delay in treatment pushes us closer to losing that fight," said a patient who chose not to be named. "We shouldn't have to battle both the disease and the healthcare system."
Affected families and activists are now demanding immediate restoration of regular medicine supply at GMC Udhampur. They stress that national healthcare schemes can only succeed if they are effectively implemented on the ground.
When contacted, Sakeena Masood (Itoo), Minister for Health & Medical Education, acknowledged the issue and assured action.
"This is a vital medicine that must be available at the hospital. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow regarding Udhampur, and I will ensure this issue is raised and addressed," she said. |
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