Patients, Attendants Allege Private Referral Nexus After Weeks-Long X-Ray Shutdown at District Hospital Shopian

Shopian, May 12, KNT: Patients and attendants at District Hospital Shopian have alleged severe hardship due to the prolonged non-functioning of the hospital’s lone X-ray facility, forcing patients, including emergency and elderly cases, to travel to other hospitals or private diagnostic centers for basic imaging services.

The issue has triggered growing public anger in the district, with attendants alleging that the absence of diagnostic facilities for several weeks has crippled emergency healthcare services, particularly during night hours when alternative options remain limited.

Locals alleged that poor patients are being compelled to spend additional money and travel long distances even for routine X-ray examinations, raising concerns about the functioning of the healthcare infrastructure in the district.

Several attendants questioned why the fault in the machine had not been rectified despite repeated complaints and mounting public concern.

“There is immense suffering, especially during the night. Patients in pain are being sent outside the district only for X-rays,” said one attendant outside the hospital while talking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust.

Another attendant, Zubair Ahmad, said he brought his ailing father to the hospital around 8 p.m. after his condition deteriorated, but doctors advised an immediate X-ray which could not be conducted due to the non-functional machine.

“He was in severe pain and we were told to go outside because the machine had not been working for weeks. It was late evening and we had nowhere to go,” he said.

Patients and attendants also alleged that the prolonged closure of the facility has fueled public suspicion about possible negligence and an alleged nexus aimed at pushing patients toward private diagnostic centers outside the hospital.

Repeated attempts to obtain an official response from hospital authorities remained unsuccessful, according to attendants.

The issue drew the attention of local MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay, who visited the hospital following public complaints.

Speaking to reporters, the legislator said he was personally monitoring the matter along with medical officials and assured that the X-ray facility would be restored within two days.

He acknowledged that patients were facing significant difficulties due to the breakdown and said he had received numerous complaints regarding the issue.

The prolonged disruption of diagnostic services has once again raised concerns over healthcare infrastructure and equipment maintenance in peripheral districts of Kashmir, where patients frequently depend on limited government medical facilities for treatment.

Locals urged the Health Department and higher authorities to immediately ensure restoration of essential services and prevent further inconvenience to patients. [KNT]