avinash azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 18: Jammu region of J&K UT has a history of poor state of healthcare sector primarily due to the unequal distribution of funds during the erstwhile Kashmir-centric political regimes.
However, the ill-fate of the health sector of Jammu province did not witness a change even during the Jammu-centric BJP's three years of rule as one of its ministers ordered the closure of Gastroenterology Department at Super Specialty Hospital (SSH), Jammu thus giving a major setback to the already limping health sector of the region.
The department was closed by the then Health and Medical Education Minister of erstwhile J&K state, Bali Bhagat in 2016. The department was closed even in violation of the standing order of a local court, however, similar orders were again issued by the court asking the Health and Medical Education Department to make the department functional again.
On the other hand in Kashmir, as many as two hospitals have Gastroenterology Department with SSH Kashmir having at least 10 faculty members with around 20 endoscopes to take care of public health.
"Why same is being denied in Jammu and people are forced to wander/ travel outside the state to get this treatment, which was available here till 2016, instead of going ahead, Jammu is going on backwards with each passing day", said Manzoor Hussain, a health activist.
"I met several people, during my treatment, we unanimously decided to fight for better health care in Jammu division", he said, adding that they have no bad intention for any political party, but they are in favour of better health care services in Jammu division for the Jammuites.
The health activists said that the division bench of J&K High Court comprises Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sanjay Kumar Gupta had directed then Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education Department to start the department.
"Since this court by an ad interim order dated 07/04/2020 has already directed that the petitioner (Dr Shoket Choudhary) shall be allowed to function as Assistant Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology in the Super Specialty Hospital, Jammu, so that the patients can be provided the aforesaid facilities", Ankush Verma, a health activist said, adding that the court in its order further said, "We deem it appropriate to modify the ad interim order dated 07/04/2018 and to direct that the words "if the same in functional" shall stand deleted, and the appellant shall be allowed to function as Assistant Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology in Super Speciality Hospital, Jammu", the Division Bench said disposing of MP no 2/2018".
They said that the government created the department on the basis of repeated requests made by the then Principal Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu, Dr Shashi Gupta.
"The department of Gastroenterology was made functional at SSH Jammu in April 2014, by the then Principal GMC&H Dr Ghanshyam Gupta. At same time, same department was established in SSH Srinagar, present the SSH Srinagar has at least 10 faculty members with 20 endoscopes and allied infrastructure and manpower of 100 other staff members, the Department has been imparting DNB Gastro training", they said, adding that apart from SSH Srinagar, the SKIMS Soura has also a Gastroenterology department.
Contrary to this, the lone Gastroenterology department of SSH Jammu, has been snatched from Jammuites forcing them to go in private hospitals and or avail the facility in other states. "As the department has been closed, the machinery worth crores of rupees is gathering dust, and at least staff of around 100 persons has been deployed in other departments. When the department was closed there was OPD with 120-140 patients daily at SSH Jammu.
"K Vijay Kumar, Advisor to the then Governor J&K State, Satya Pal Malik had also asked the Health and Medical Education to start the department in the interest of Public, but with change of status of J&K, the issue was kept under the carpet", they said, adding that it was beyond someone understanding why such a vital department is not be made functional again.
Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo did not answer the repeated phone calls and text messages from this scribe. |
