Patients suffering due to defunct machines at SMHS Hospital: DAK

An association of doctors today claimed that cancer patients were suffering due to defunct radiotherapy treatment machine, which was damaged in the floods of 2014, at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital here.
The Doctors’ Association Kashmir (DAK) in a statement said the radiotherapy treatment machine at SMHS Hospital, which was damaged during September 2014 floods, had not been replaced yet.
The association said cancer patients were suffering “immensely due to lack of radiotherapy facility”.
“The radiation oncology unit of SMHS Hospital that was hit by floods has not been restored. It has been more than two years that the hospital is without the facility that is costing lives,” it said.
“Cobalt 60, the main machine for the treatment of cancer patients is yet to be fixed. Initially the department concerned said the machine needs repair, but later for some reasons asked for its replacement,” the DAK said.
It said due to non-availability of equipment at SMHS Hospital, patients were being referred to “already burdened” SKIMS Hospital.