KNT Stands by Kulgam Medicine Shortage Report, Produces Evidence Contradicting Official Rebuttal
Kulgam, June 27, KNT: The news agency Kashmir News Trust (KNT) on Saturday reaffirmed the factual basis of its report on the shortage of intravenous antibiotic infusions at Primary Health Centres in Kulgam district, producing documentary evidence and first-hand testimony that contradict the official clarification issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kulgam.
The CMO’s office had described KNT’s report as “misleading” and questioned the assertion that the department’s version could not be obtained before publication.
However, call records available with KNT show that repeated attempts were made to contact the Chief Medical Officer before the report was published. Despite multiple calls, no response was received from the official concerned.
More significantly, the KNT reporter whose first-hand experience formed part of the report has stated that he was admitted to Bugam Primary Health Centre after falling ill. According to the reporter, the treating doctor prescribed an intravenous antibiotic infusion, but he was informed that the medicine was not available at the health centre.
Related: Essential Medicine Shortage at Kulgam PHCs Leaves Patients in Distress
As a result, the reporter purchased the prescribed antibiotic infusion from a private chemist before returning to the PHC, where it was administered. KNT possesses photographs of the medicine purchased from the market, including the packaging bearing the batch number, manufacturing details and price, as well as photographs taken during its administration at the health facility.
The reporter maintained that his account was based entirely on his personal experience and that the prescribed antibiotic infusion was unavailable when he required treatment at the PHC.
KNT said its report reflected the experiences narrated by patients and attendants at the concerned health facilities and was prepared after reasonable efforts were made to obtain the official version.
The news agency reiterated that its objective is to highlight issues affecting the public in a fair and factual manner and remains committed to publishing the response of government departments whenever it is made available. [KNT]
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