Poor access to healthcare in face of epidemic

Even with the flood waters receding, the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot breathe easy just yet. Looming large is the threat of an epidemic and poor access to hospitals is a serious cause for concern.

Before the floods hit Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, one of seven super speciality hospitals here, always saw a rush of people, particularly in the morning hours. Now, the contrast is stark. Even though the hospital was not ravaged by the floods, it wears a deserted look with the destruction around it cutting off accessability.

The vacant beds and shortage of staff indicate that patients and doctors, who are among the many people in the state residing in flood-hit areas, are still trapped in their homes and have no viable route to reach the hospital. As a result, all routine surgeries have been postponed and only emergency cases are being attended.

This reporter, who covered most of the distance by boat to reach the hospital, found that only six of 30 beds in the cardiology ward and five of 20 in the gastroenterology ward were occupied.  Imtiaz Ahmed, an attendant from the Patan area of Baramulla, reached the hospital with great difficulty to take care of his ill son. “I have brought my son here and admitted him. Having lost everything to floods, I had no option but to sell my cellphone for Rs 4,000 so that I can buy him medicine.”

With the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute facing a serious shortage of staff, the Army airlifted patients in critical condition for treatment at Army hospital in the Badami Bagh cantonment here.

This reporter, who went through the flood-affected areas by boat, saw that there was a significant decrease in the water level across the city since the heavy rain started lashing it on September 6. Some places, however, continue to be under 8 feet of water.

While the water is receding fast in the upper regions, most low-lying areas, including Lal Chowk in the heart of the city, are still waterlogged.

Few shops were found to be open. However, they were not open for business, but to retrieve whatever little the floods had left behind. Most areas here stink, reminding one of the looming health hazards. As for government work, only a handful of employees have reported for duty, while the civil secretariat still under water and the administration continues to be crippled.

Meanwhile, power has been restored only in those areas that were relatively unaffected by the floods. Among telecommunication networks, Aircel is available in most areas while BSNL works here. The Airtel network, however, has not been restored.

For the eleventh day in a row, the Airport Road as well as the Jammu–Srinagar highway remained closed, making it difficult for trucks carrying relief material and food to reach the affected areas. “The highway will remain closed for another 3-4 days,” a Border Road Organisation official said.