Anantnag, Aug 10: A nine-year-old boy referred from Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag to Srinagar was reportedly forced to travel in a private vehicle after his family failed to secure an ambulance through the 108 emergency service, raising concerns over the availability of emergency referral transport at the tertiary-care hospital.
The child, identified as Moosa, a resident of Kokernag, was initially taken to a health facility in Kokernag after falling down the stairs and subsequently developing persistent vomiting. He was later referred to GMC Anantnag for further evaluation and treatment.
After examining the child, doctors at GMC Anantnag reportedly advised the family to take him to Srinagar for further treatment.
According to the child’s attendants, they made repeated attempts to contact the 108 ambulance service but allegedly found the number busy each time. With no ambulance available, the family arranged a private vehicle to transport the child to Srinagar.
The incident has raised questions over the availability of functional emergency ambulances at GMC Anantnag, particularly for patients requiring urgent referral to higher centres.
When contacted, GMC Anantnag Principal Dr Junaid S. Wani acknowledged that the hospital has three ambulances, of which two are currently under repair.
“We have three ambulances at GMC Anantnag, and two of them are under repair. I will look into the matter,” Dr Wani told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
An attendant accompanying the child questioned the adequacy of emergency transport facilities at the hospital, saying a major healthcare institution serving patients from more than three districts should have sufficient functional ambulances.
“It is better to improve the existing health infrastructure rather than inaugurating new buildings and PHCs. It is very unfortunate that GMC Anantnag, which caters to patients from more than three districts, has only one ambulance working,” the attendant said.
He urged the Government to intervene and ensure adequate ambulance facilities at GMC Anantnag, particularly for patients requiring emergency referrals.
The incident has brought renewed attention to emergency referral and ambulance services at GMC Anantnag, with attendants calling for round-the-clock availability of functional ambulances to prevent patients from facing difficulties during critical situations. [KNT]
