Srinagar, December 22
While the Jammu and Kashmir government has already suspended Medical Superintendent and four others for negligence over the death of two infants in Baramulla last week, preliminary inquiry has clearly pointed to gross negligence by the paramedical staff and hospital administration.

The inquiry conducted by a three-member panel headed by a Deputy Director Health had found that there were administrative lapses which were responsible for the death of the infants.

In fact, it was after this report that the government suspended the Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Bashir Ahmed, and four others.

“There was no regular roster of hospital staff and no supervision of the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) by doctor on duty. The Medical Superintendent failed to place auto start generator facility to the SNCU,” the report said.

The report also mentions that the paediatrician in the Baramulla hospital had not maintained the proper protocol to the SNCU during night hours. The report also blamed the nurse for failing to monitor the infants.

“The nurse on duty did not maintain proper nursing records of the neonate and failed to monitor the sick newborn during the night hours. She did not bother to inform the paediatrician about the deteriorating condition of the newborn. As such, there has been gross negligence on the part of the staff nurse concerned,” the report said. The nurse had also failed to maintain the vital records of the newborns.

The report also points out that the generator operator failed to start the emergency services of electricity on time and grossly neglected the hospital for a period which created unfavourable environment for the sick neonates.

The inquiry report also maintains that the neonates were sick right from birth and were at high risk all through.

Two infants had died last Friday night allegedly due to a power cut at SNCU.

The families of the infants had claimed the babies died because of lack of oxygen supply during a two-hour power cut.

One of the infants, the report said, was in a critical condition with 'hypothermia' and was in circulatory shock. The second baby was suffering from 'meconium aspiration syndrome' with respiratory distress. These babies had critical newborn ailments.

The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recently said that an in-depth probe was being done to look into the cause of these deaths.

“We have taken action after the preliminary report, but whosoever is found guilty during the in-depth probe will also be punished,” Abdullah had said.

Sopore, December 22
Even as the authorities have declared Dangerpora, neighbouring Sopore town in north Kashmir, as a model village, the hamlet has been facing a severe power crisis for several years now.

A year ago, locals say, the power department authorities had promised round-the-clock power supply to the village after installing electricity meters.

Incidentally, the ruling National Conference MLA for Sopore constituency hails from Dangerpora village, some five kilometres from main town Sopore.

“On paper, Dangerpora has been declared a model village by the authorities, with a huge sign board announcing it proudly to the visitors at the village. However, facts on the ground speak otherwise,” said Sajjad Ahmad, a villager from Dangerpora.

Stating that before declaring any village a model village, the authorities need to ensure the availability of basic facilities, villagers claimed that the village has been facing a severe crisis on the power front.

“A year ago, the Power Development Department (PDD) authorities installed electricity meters in our area, promising uninterrupted power supply. However, the village hardly gets any electricity supply, which is always playing hide-and-seek,” said another villager Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, adding that the authorities should remove the name of the village from model villages list.

“The worst part is that the MLA Sopore Mohammad Ashraf hails from this village, but he too has apparently never bothered to address these basic issues,” Sajjad said, adding that the former congress MLA Abdul Rashid Dar too hails from the same village.

“Both of them have been of no use to the village as far as ending the power woes of the village is concerned,” Sajjad said.

Power Development Department authorities say the village is being subjected to load-shedding as per the routine schedule followed in other villages of the area.

The local MLA Mohammad Ashraf was not available for his comment despite repeated attempts.

Anantnag, December 22
People from rural areas of South Kashmir rue that the authorities have failed to put a curb on sale of expired eatables in the area, putting the health of consumers in jeopardy.

Reports from districts Anantnag and Kulgam say shopkeepers in rural areas have often been found selling expired drugs as well as eatables to gullible consumers and the authorities have been acting as mute spectators all the way.

“Shopkeepers in rural areas deliberately buy expired goods from dealers at slashed rates and sell them openly to unsuspecting consumers,” said Abdul Rashid Dar, a resident of Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district.

Locals say a prime example of the sheer negligence of authorities is the recent death of a five-year-old girl in Kulgam district, after she consumed an expired pack of noodles.

“This is not limited to Kulgam district. Rural areas in other districts too witness such practice by the shopkeepers,” said Imtiyaz Khan, a resident of Kokernag area in Anantnag district.

Locals allege the authorities meant to conduct market checks have their palms greased by these erring shopkeepers and hence refrain from taking any action. “Without the patronage of the authorities, the shopkeepers cannot even think of doing such things,” said Rameez, a student from Srigufwara area of Anantnag.

The authorities however maintain that they have got the market in control and no such practice is allowed as per their knowledge.

“Since 2009, we have got market-checking squads at every tehsil and things are rather under control in the rural areas,” said Nazir Ahmad Wani, Deputy Drug Controller, Kashmir.

He said their market-checking squads are always on their toes and conduct regular market checks.

Handwara, December 22
Residents of Bakiakar and some adjoining villages in Handwara tehsil are facing problems due to incomplete health centre in their villages. Locals said they were forced to cover a distance of around 13 km to Handwara hospital to avail medical facilities.

The foundation of the health centre, according to locals, was laid in 2005 and since then, construction work on the centre has not taken off. “We are forced to cover around 13 km to reach Handwara hospital even for first aid treatment. The foundation of the centre was laid in 2005 and the construction work has not been resumed since then,” said Ashiq Hussain, a local resident.

They said despite repeated representations, the authorities have not resumed construction work to complete the centre. “We made several representations to senior officials of the department with a plea to complete the construction work but they lend a deaf ear,” said Abdul Jabar, a senior citizen.

Locals said a health centre was functioning improperly in a small, old rented building in the village and it was not benefiting them due to lack of facilities and infrastructure. They maintained that the centre for at least eight villages including Bakiakar was sanctioned by the authorities in 1960 and till date, the same has not been set up.

The surrounding villages including Chak, Deedipora, Kahipora, Goriakar and Batpora would benefited by the health centre facility. Locals said in case of an emergency, for example that related to pregnancy, their problems were compounded. “The village also lacks proper transport facility and at times, we are forced to take pregnant women over stretchers to the Handwara hospital,” said Asha of Kahipora.

Locals appealed to the authorities to resume the construction work and complete the building at the earliest. “We are facing problems due to the incomplete centre. The centre should be completed and made functional at the earliest,” said sarpanch Bakikar Mohd Shafi Dar.

Block medical officer Rajwar Dr Idrees Ahmad said the locals were facing problems due to incomplete centre and they badly need the facility. “The building is being constructed by the block development department and in the next board meeting, he would take up the issue with the authorities,” the BMO said, adding that the building had to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 9 lakh.

Srinagar, December 22
Ghulam Nabi Monga, a newly elected Legislative Council member, today said that the Congress was committed to empower sarpanches and panches in the state.

“The Panchayti Raj system in any region or the state is a reflection of strong democracy and I assure that the Congress will fulfill its commitments made during the election campaign for empowering the panchayats,” Monga said during a one-day convention at Dak Bunglow Baramulla.

“It gives me lot of satisfaction that the people of J&K want that the Panchayti Raj system must be implemented strictly, so that the development of the state could start from the grass-root level. Strong Panchayts means strong democracy,” he said.

Monga was all praise for the state Congress president. “The Congress under the leadership of Prof Saiffudin Soz is committed to ensure provision of insurance cover and honorarium to them for which funds will be available soon to the state government,” he said.

Vice President of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee Monga was accompanied by party leaders Abdul Majid Padder, Mirza Aftab Ahmad Beigh and other senior leaders. This was the first meeting of the sarpanches and the panchss addressed by Monga after being elected to Legislative Council through the Panchayat elections which were held recently for four seats in the state. Monga also thanked them for casting their votes in favour of the coalition candidates and ensuring their victory.

Srinagar, December 22
After The Tribune carried a report dated December 18 on chicken deaths due to suspected Ranikhet disease, the district administration has directed the State Animal Husbandry Department to inspect all the poultry farms of the Valley and undertake vaccination.

Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon today convened a high-level meeting of officers to review the unusual mortality of chicken in some areas of the Valley which include Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal.

The state animal husbandry department has been asked to constitute district-level inspection teams to ensure that the birds in government and private poultry farms are vaccinated properly and thereby no-objection certificates are issued.

The Director Animal Husbandry was also directed to ensure that day-old chicks are subjected to rigorous tests at Lower Munda at the time of import.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Baseer Ahmed Khan, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr GN Qasba, Director Animal Husbandry Kashmir, Dr GR Mir, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Dr Javed Ahmed, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Tasaduq Jeelani, Deputy Director CAPD Kashmir, Shafqat Iqbal, President Poultry Dealers Association, Parvez Ahmed Wani and various poultry farmers of the Valley.

Srinagar, December 22
Two persons were injured in different road accidents across the Kashmir Valley since Friday evening.

Police said a Tata Sumo (JK05C/4119) collided with a load carrier (JK04/5686) at Shadipora, Bandipora, resulting in injuries to Mohammad Rather, son of Yousuf Rather of Nowgam. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. A case has been registered.

A pedestrian was injured in Sonwar locality of the city in a road accident.

Police said an unknown vehicle hit and injured Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Khrew Pampore near GP Pant Hospital, Sonwar, Srinagar. The injured has been shifted to SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar for treatment. A case has been registered.

In another accident, a truck (PB07AF/3598) hit a Tavera (JK05E/8419) at Goriwan National Highway, Anantnag, resulting in damage to both the vehicles. A case has been registered.