Anantnag, July 14: The absence of round-the-clock ultrasound (USG) services at the Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH), Anantnag, has become a major concern for patients, particularly those arriving during evening and night hours, with hospital authorities confirming that the facility remains non-functional after 4:00 PM due to a shortage of radiologists.
The issue came into focus after a patient from a remote area, referred to the hospital during the night and transported by ambulance, was advised by the attending doctors to undergo an urgent ultrasound examination. However, on reaching the USG section, the patient found it closed and was forced to look for a private diagnostic centre despite being unfamiliar with the town.
MCCH Anantnag, the only maternity and child care hospital affiliated with Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, caters to a large population from Anantnag and neighbouring districts, receiving emergency obstetric and gynaecological cases round the clock. The non-availability of ultrasound services during night hours has therefore emerged as a significant challenge for patients requiring immediate diagnostic evaluation.
When contacted by Kashmir News Trust (KNT), Head of the Department of Radiology, Dr Saiqa, confirmed that the ultrasound section at MCCH ceases operations after 4:00 PM.
"There are no ultrasound services available during night hours," she said.
Principal, Government Medical College Anantnag, Dr Junaid, also acknowledged the situation, attributing it to a shortage of radiologists in the institution.
"We have closed the USG room after 4 PM because of a shortage of doctors in GMC. I will look into the matter," he told KNT.
Patients and attendants said the lack of after-hours ultrasound services often forces critically ill patients, including pregnant women, to either wait until the following day or seek expensive diagnostic tests at private facilities, resulting in delays in treatment and additional financial burden.
Residents have urged the Health and Medical Education Department to address the shortage of specialists and ensure round-the-clock availability of essential diagnostic services at the hospital, saying emergency healthcare cannot function effectively without access to timely imaging facilities.
The issue assumes added significance as MCCH Anantnag serves as the primary referral maternity hospital for south Kashmir, where emergency obstetric cases frequently require immediate ultrasound examinations for prompt clinical decision-making.