Srinagar, Feb 9: The Jammu and Kashmir government has described Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara as a “critical hub for healthcare delivery” for a vast and difficult terrain in north Kashmir, even as the facility continues to function without a gynaecologist and several other key specialists.
The details were shared by the Health and Medical Education Department in a written reply to a question raised by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz in the Legislative Assembly.
According to the reply, SDH Kupwara caters to patients from Keran, Karnah, Machil, Kupwara, Trehgam, Lolab, and parts of Langate and Handwara, covering border areas and far-flung communities.
While highlighting the hospital’s strategic importance, the government said that district-level services for Kupwara are being strengthened following the upgradation of District Hospital Handwara as an associated hospital of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara. It also claimed that SDH Kupwara has been strengthened in terms of manpower, machinery and equipment.
However, official data submitted to the House points to serious gaps in specialist care at the hospital. Of the two sanctioned posts of gynaecologists at SDH Kupwara, neither is currently in position. The hospital is also functioning without an orthopaedic specialist and a psychiatrist. Of the two sanctioned posts of anaesthesia specialists, one remains vacant, while there is no senior consultant in general medicine posted at the facility.
Shortages extend to nursing and technical staff as well. Of the eight sanctioned posts of junior-grade nurses, only two are filled, leaving six vacancies. All four sanctioned posts of anaesthesia technicians are also vacant.
Health experts say these gaps directly affect round-the-clock maternity, emergency and critical care services at the peripheral hospital. Women from rural and border areas are often forced to travel long distances for gynaecological consultations, while expectant mothers frequently face prolonged displacement from their homes for delivery-related care.
In its reply, the government said efforts are underway to rationalise medical and paramedical staff using existing resources. “A comprehensive plan is being implemented to optimally redistribute available staff across health facilities in the district, with particular focus on SDH Kupwara,” the reply said.
The government also informed the House that some staff, including an anaesthesia specialist and nurses, have been engaged at SDH Kupwara under the National Health Mission, but acknowledged that no orthopaedic specialist or gynaecologist has been provided through the scheme so far.
