Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said that with mercury dipping in valley, patients in hospitals are facing huge inconvenience due to lack of heating.

    President DAK Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan in a statement said that patients in hospitals are shivering with biting cold and are suffering immensely due to lack of heating.

    “Kashmir is witnessing bone-chilling cold and heating systems in hospitals are not yet operational making life difficult for ailing patients.   The premier hospitals and other peripheral health institutions are without heating putting patients at risk. Cold thickens blood and constricts arteries leaving patients with cardiovascular diseases vulnerable to heart attacks and brain attacks.”

       He said that Asthmatic and chronic obstructive lung disease patients may worsen their conditions in hospitals because of cold.  “Children are especially prone to hypothermia in cold conditions which can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular dysfunction and even death. Cold conditions in hospitals  increase morbidities and mortalities in patients. For doctors and paramedics it is difficult to work in icy-cold conditions especially during night hours when temperatures reach close to freezing point  which takes heavy toll on patients.”

    “The central heating systems of premier hospitals have not been started yet and patients suffer the consequences. The majority of peripheral health institutions are without inbuilt central heating systems and they rely on traditional heaters without vent which do harm than good to patients. Hospital administrators are insensitive to sufferings of patients and enjoy in their cozy heated chambers and cherish the miseries of patients who have been left in lurch. “ (CNS)