Srinagar, Aug 17: The Trauma Centre at Watergam in Rafiabad area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district continues to struggle with a shortage of doctors, paramedical staff and essential facilities, prompting residents to seek urgent government intervention.
Locals said the centre was established to provide immediate treatment to accident victims, particularly given its location along the National Highway, but the shortage of manpower and non-functional facilities has severely affected its ability to provide trauma care.
Manzoor Ahmad, a local resident, said the government had established trauma centres across Kashmir about a decade ago, including the facility at Watergam, but the centre has failed to develop into a fully functional trauma care facility.
“The construction of the trauma centre started in 2011 and it was made functional in 2020. Initially, two doctors were posted here. We have repeatedly appealed to the government for deployment of adequate staff, but the manpower shortage continues,” he said.
Residents said the centre has a sanctioned strength of six consultant doctors, but only two are currently posted there. They added that there is no Medical Officer at the facility, further affecting healthcare services.
Locals stressed that the centre should function round the clock as it caters to a large population and is located along a highway that witnesses frequent road accidents.
“This hospital should function 24/7, keeping in view the area it caters to. We appeal to the government to fill the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff,” they said.
Residents also demanded the posting of a gynaecologist, saying it would provide relief to pregnant women from a large catchment area. They further sought the operationalisation of the operation theatre, claiming that the centre already has adequate infrastructure.
The locals said the facility has an X-ray machine but no technician to operate it. Similarly, an ultrasound machine is available but cannot be utilised in the absence of technical staff.
They demanded that these diagnostic services be made functional round the clock, particularly in view of the centre’s location on an accident-prone highway.
The area has witnessed several casualties in road accidents, including a recent fatality and cases involving serious injuries, raising concerns over the lack of adequate emergency and trauma care at the facility.
Residents said critical patients are often referred to hospitals in Srinagar, resulting in delays in treatment and potentially worsening their condition.
They also flagged a shortage of ambulances and essential medical equipment, besides the absence of round-the-clock emergency and specialised trauma services.
“The highway is prone to road accidents, yet we lack the infrastructure to handle critical cases. There is no specialised trauma care,” locals said.
A health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the absence of adequate trauma care in north Kashmir has serious consequences for critically injured patients.
“Due to the absence of proper trauma care in north Kashmir, patients are often referred to Srinagar hospitals, and some die on the way. This is an unfortunate reality,” the official said.
On the existing trauma centres in the Valley, the official said many of them were not functioning as full-fledged trauma hospitals.
“They are not trauma hospitals in the true sense; they are largely functioning as first-aid centres despite being designated as trauma hospitals,” the official said.
