8 years on, maternity building at SDH Tangmarg incomplete; patients suffer

Srinagar : Patients at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Tangmarg are facing prolonged suffering due to the incomplete construction of the maternity block, which began eight years ago.
Despite the passage of almost a decade since its sanctioning, the project remains unfinished, causing significant inconvenience to the patients relying on this essential facility.
The patients present at the hospital said that the gynaecology section has been stalled for years, leaving them, especially pregnant women, in distress.
They said the insufficient space in the existing building is unable to accommodate the high influx of patients, which severely hampering healthcare services in the area.
Mohammad Ismail, a patient at the hospital, said the pregnant women face many challenges due to space constraints. He said there is an urgent need for completion of the building.
Similarly, Shakeela, another patient, said the completion of the additional block would greatly ease maternity care and enhance medical facilities for the community.
Locals while expressing concern said that SDH Tangmarg despite serving at least 50 villages has been overlooked, which leads to patients being referred to Srinagar for minor ailments. The hospital also faces a shortage of staff, they added.
Despite persistent appeals, the concerned authorities have yet to finalise the construction work, the locals said.
They have again requested the authorities to expedite the construction process and ensure the timely completion of the maternity block to alleviate their suffering.
A health official from the district acknowledged the project’s languishing status and said that efforts are on to resume the construction.
Regarding staff shortages, he said the matter has been raised with the appropriate authorities. He expressed hope that additional staff will be sanctioned soon