“My brother–in-law died due to road accident on the national highway Pattan in last month, he could have survived if the hospital had been in service,’’ says Mubashir Farooq a local resident. He says that patients are being usually sent to Pattan hospital as it is the only hospital available on the national highway. “At Pattan doctors have no option but they refer patients to city hospital and in the process many people lose the battle with life.’’
Imtiyaz Wani
Midway on the Srinagar – Baramulla national highway from past two decades a trauma centre is being at Babateng Pattan. The sole aim of this trauma centre besides catering the local population was also to create a facility where people injured in the accidents will be treated on emergency basis, especially in the ‘golden hour’. However from past 15 years, the hospital is yet to be commissioned.
This trauma centre was inaugurated by former J&K chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed in 2002 and the plaque is still visible at the entrance of hospital. And whenever locals visit this place it reminds them the unfulfilled promise of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The foundation stone of this hospital was laid by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Unfortunately, the PDP is now in its third year of government still they have failed to complete it,’’ said Farooq Ahmad who lives close to Babateng.
At picturesque location, this hospital is spread over 40 kanals and officials say that so far government has already spent more than Rs 64 crores. “Even after 15 years this Trauma hospital is just like a waste of money and few empty buildings. Like previous government this BJP_PDP coalition government is not interested in its completion,’’ says Abdul Majeed a resident of Pattan.
In absence of a good trauma centre on the midst of the national highway dozens of civilians especially youth lose their lives and nobody in the officialdom is bothered.
“My brother–in-law died due to road accident on the national highway Pattan in last month, he could have survived if the hospital had been in service,’’ says Mubashir Farooq a local resident. He says that patients are being usually sent to Pattan hospital as it is the only hospital available on the national highway. “At Pattan doctors have no option but they refer patients to city hospital and in the process many people lose the battle with life.’’
Though Pattan has a sub district hospital, however due to lack of doctors and equipment this hospital is no way better than a Primary Health Centre. Last time when Youth Services and Sports Minister, Imran Reza Ansari visited Pattan as he is also a legislator from the constituency, he said the completion of this trauma centre was the main demand of the people.
From Sangrama to Narbal there is not a single good hospital where patients could be treated after the accidents. However locals say that the government has no spine to shift the existing hospital to the new place because a section of influential traders who are in medicine business don’t want relocation of old hospital and they have even influenced local assembly member.
Block Medical Officer, BMO Pattan Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Hakeem had assured that trauma centre will start functioning very soon on the national highway.
“In a month this trauma hospital will begin to work. We have already sent a request to our higher authorities for more doctors, nurses and some important equipment,’’ Hakeem said adding that officials have promised posting of doctors to new hospital.
BMO said that people should forget past and look towards the future.
“People shouldn’t believe on rumors instead should try to help government in shifting this hospital.’’ He also ruled out any political interference in the shifting of hospital. ‘’We are not shifting to new hospital as there is no water and electricity and without these essential things we can’t put lives of patients in danger. ‘’
BMO said that at new hospital not only patients but doctors should also feel relaxed. “Before moving to that place we will fix every lacunae and get latest equipment.’’
Hakeem said that for started trauma centre he had already approached the government for appointing trauma surgeons especially orthopedic surgeons and doctors who would be able to handle the patients with critical injuries. “We can only appeal to the government to take corrective measures as soon as possible as we don’t want to mourn over more deaths every day,’’ he said. However, majority of people don’t trust government and claim that these promises are made whenever any VIP visits Pattan. “This hospital could turn into a life saving place only, if government takes serious initiatives otherwise people will have to wait for another decade.’’
