Srinagar, May 30 (KNO): Days after government directed private health centres to resume functioning, private diagnostic centers association Jammu and Kashmir (PDCAJK) alleged that the district authorities are harassing and sealing their centres, thereby forcing them to undergo immense difficulties.
President of the association said that number of complaints were received from both south and north Kashmir about the sealing of centers after positive patients and local administration created hurdles in normal functioning of the health centres.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Umar Iqbal Dhar, president private diagnostic centers association Jammu and Kashmir said that the government on one side is forcing them to resume work and on the other hand they are turning to be hurdle in normal functioning with local administration not considering the positive services rendered by private sector.
He said the government has directed them to resume work without any delay but the local administration is not cooperating with them at all. “Number of complaints from different parts like, Bijhbara, Bandipora, Kunzer and other parts over the days were received that Tehsildar's have sealed the centers after patients who visited there proved positive.”
If a patient proves positive days after visiting any centre that is not their fault as they are helping the government at this point of time and over 70 per cent rush of the patient is catered by private health centers across the valley and the authorities should know that all the centers have earned great amount of respect for their work, he said.
Umar said if any of the pregnant lady or patient turns positive after visiting any of private clinic authorities should not seal the entire complex rather the particular section and direct the concerned to fumigate the room necessarily and days after it will be fit for use.
He said the health worker who attends the patient can be quarantined and sent for sampling that will be easy for them, government and general public as well.
“At least 70 per cent of the population and work is done by private health sector while the government has shut its services (OPD) for general public, despite having all the precautionary measures put in place including the screening and fumigation on daily basis still authorities force us to undergo immense hardships,” Umar said.
Meanwhile, a top government health official wishing anonymity, said that the authorities should consider the importance of private health centres across the Kashmir and allow them to function without any hurdle.
The official said amid this pandemic it quite important to conduct various tests like, LSCS and others to verify the status of patient and if they shut the private sector as well the whole running process will come to a grinding halt.
The official also said that private health sector is also rendering their services amid the challenging atmosphere and government should not neglect their services as they have played a vital role—(KNO)