Kulgam, Dec 10: Health authorities in Kulgam have issued a strong rebuttal to a misleading report claiming that District Hospital (DH) Kulgam is operating without key specialists. Officials clarified that the report is factually incorrect and does not reflect the current functioning or staffing status of the hospital.
According to the official statement, DH Kulgam is fully staffed as per norms and continues to provide comprehensive patient care across all major departments.
Point-by-Point Clarification
1. Claim on Absence of Dermatologist and Radiologist
The administration termed this claim “completely false.” As per updated official records, DH Kulgam has a dermatologist on staff. Additionally, the hospital is not without radiologists; it currently has three specialist radiologists providing regular diagnostic services, including ultrasound and X-ray.
2. Claim About “Limited Anaesthesia Support Arranged Temporarily”
Officials said this description is misleading. DH Kulgam has a permanent strength of five specialist anaesthetists. Their duties are scheduled on a rotational basis to ensure 24×7 availability for surgeries, emergencies, and ICU support — a standard practice followed across all district hospitals. The term “temporary,” they said, misinterprets this routine duty system.
3. Reference to the 17-Year Upgrade
The statement clarified that although the hospital infrastructure was upgraded years ago, staffing is continuously reviewed as per current IPHS (Indian Public Health Standards). The hospital’s specialist capacity aligns with all requirements mandated for a district hospital. Any vacancies arising due to transfers or retirements are addressed promptly without impacting essential services.
Conclusion
The health authorities maintained that the circulating report appears to rely on outdated information or may have deliberately misrepresented facts. DH Kulgam, they emphasized, is fully functional with all key specialist services available to the public.
The administration urged media outlets and the general public to verify details with official sources to prevent misinformation and avoid unnecessary panic.
For accurate updates, the public has been advised to rely on communications from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kulgam, the Medical Superintendent DH Kulgam, or the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK).
