Doctors cite staff shortage, growing disease burden
Saqib Rather
Srinagar, May 22: Long queues outside outpatient departments, overcrowded wards, and delays in diagnostic services are becoming a daily reality in several major hospitals across Srinagar, raising concerns among patients and healthcare workers over the mounting pressure on the city’s public health system.
From early morning, hundreds of patients from different parts of Kashmir gather at hospitals in Srinagar seeking treatment. Many travel overnight from remote districts for specialist consultations, only to spend hours waiting for medical attention.
At one of the city’s tertiary care hospitals, attendants carrying files and prescriptions crowded narrow corridors as doctors struggled to manage the increasing patient load.“We reached the hospital at 6 a.m., but my mother’s check-up happened after noon,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Kupwara who had accompanied his elderly mother for treatment. “There are too many patients and very few doctors available at one time.”
Patients and attendants say overcrowding has become particularly severe in departments related to medicine, orthopedics, cardiology, and emergency care. Some complain of delays in laboratory tests and limited availability of hospital beds during peak rush periods.
Healthcare workers acknowledge the strain but say the burden on Srinagar hospitals has increased because patients from almost every district in Kashmir depend on the city’s major medical institutions for advanced treatment.“A single doctor sometimes examines more than a hundred patients in a day,” said a senior hospital staff member on condition of anonymity. “The infrastructure is under constant pressure because referral cases keep increasing.”
Attendants also raised concerns over sanitation and waiting facilities in some hospital areas. Outside emergency wards, families were seen sitting on floors and staircases while waiting for updates about patients.“There should be better arrangements for attendants,” said Rukhsana Begum, whose relative was admitted for surgery. “People spend entire nights here without proper seating or basic facilities.”Medical experts say shortages of staff, increasing population pressure, and rising disease burden have collectively affected healthcare delivery in the city. Public health observers believe expanding healthcare infrastructure in district hospitals could reduce dependence on Srinagar-based institutions.
Despite the challenges, doctors and nurses continue to work under intense pressure to manage the patient flow.“We try our best with the available resources,” said a junior doctor posted at a government hospital.
“But the number of patients coming every day is far beyond what the system was originally designed for.”As healthcare demands continue to grow in Kashmir, many residents say improving hospital infrastructure and patient services can no longer be delayed.
