340 surgeries in 3 days; docs of Kashmir hospital face heavy task as more injured brought in
Four days since street violence has erupted in the Kashmir valley, the hospitals in the state are grappling with caring for the injured. According to official reports the number or injured are 1,365. But the number is dramatically escalating with every day.
The violent street protests by ordinary people came in the wake of the killing of the militant Burhan Wani. Clashes between the protesters and the police are resulting in bloodshed, and the injured are approaching the hospitals- many of them ill equipped or understaffed, or both.
The state’s Directorate of Health Services has initiated an emergency drive to collect blood. So far, 250 units of blood have been collected in a two-day drive which covered both north and south Kashmir.
A spokesperson for the Health department told the newspaper, The Hindu that volunteers are donating blood at different peripheral hospitals daily. Meanwhile, Saleem-ur-Rehman, Director, Health has given directive to the hospital administrators to send the blood units to tertiary care hospitals to help patients in dire need.
340 surgeries in 3 days
The unsavory medical scenario brought about by the protests is evident in the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospita(SMHS) in Srinagar, as reported by The Hindu. About 340 protesters who were injured from both bullets and pellets have been admitted to the hospital. As per Qaisar Ahmed, the head of SMHS, about 340 surgeries have been performed in the hospital in the past three days.
On Tuesday, fifteen more injured were admitted to the hospital as a fresh bout of violence erupted in the valley known for its natural beauty but mired in ugly violence for decades.
The unprecedented rush to the hospitals means that doctors on emergency duty are working beyond their duty hours.
All leaves cancelled
Leaves of doctors and the paramedical staff have been cancelled in the wake of the protests. There are doctors who were not able to reach their hospitals for duty due to the stone-pelting; they were asked to join nearby health centres.
Summer vacation of the Medical College faculty which was to commence later this week has also been postponed. The Principal of the SKIMS Medical College, Bemina has issued an order to this effect, stating that all leaves sanctioned are suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
Image credits: Hindustan Times
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