Contrasting claims have emerged regarding the operations of the Sherbagh hospital in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, raising questions about its actual functioning and the information being disseminated about its services. While official statements suggest the hospital operates during daylight hours and provides only outpatient services, ground reports indicate a different scenario, with medical staff attending to maternity and delivery cases, and even conducting surgeries during night hours.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, these conflicting accounts have led to scrutiny over the health minister’s understanding of the hospital’s ground realities. The Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) at Sherbagh has long been a subject of concern due to its dilapidated and overcrowded infrastructure, having been declared unsafe by the Fire and Emergency Services Department over a decade ago. Despite this, the hospital continues to cater to a significant patient load from Anantnag and surrounding districts, including Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Ramban, and parts of the Chenab Valley.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the existing infrastructure of the MCCH comprises limited facilities, including only two labour wards, four surgical wards, and a single operation theatre, which are under immense pressure due to the high volume of patients. The space constraints have resulted in severe overcrowding, often forcing patients to be accommodated in corridors during peak times.
The situation is further compounded by delays in the construction of a new, dedicated maternity and child-care hospital, for which plans were announced years ago but have seen little progress. Land and funding allocations for the new facility have reportedly not been finalized, leaving the existing, unsafe structure to continue its operations. Locals have expressed frustration over the prolonged delays, emphasizing the need for improved healthcare facilities at their doorstep to reduce travel time and costs.
The issues at Sherbagh hospital are not new. Reports from previous years highlight similar concerns regarding inadequate facilities, hygiene issues, and a lack of essential equipment. Allegations of medical negligence have also surfaced in the past, leading to inquiries and investigations. The hospital’s administrative control has been under the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, with efforts made to address some of the infrastructural challenges, including plans for relocation to alternative buildings. However, these plans have faced multiple setbacks due to structural safety concerns and funding issues, including proposals being abandoned after assessments found them unfit for use.
The ongoing situation at Sherbagh hospital underscores the critical need for immediate attention to healthcare infrastructure in the region. Residents continue to advocate for the fast-tracking of the new hospital project and the urgent upgrade of existing facilities to ensure the provision of safe and adequate medical care for mothers and children in Anantnag and its adjacent areas.
The Chenab Times News Desk