Flooded government hospitals have started referring patients to Ahmad Hospital.
The 20-bed Ahmad Hospital in Srinagar handled about four operations a day till a week ago. In the last three days, doctors have performed 90 surgeries here, most of them free of cost. (
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With most other hospitals in the city inundated in Jammu and Kashmir's worst floods in 100 years, this hospital in Gulshan Nagar is the only refuge for the sick and there is a beeline for medical attention. There are pregnant women ready for delivery, and others who need dialysis. (
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Many government hospitals which are flooded have started referring patients to this tiny hospital. Also in its vicinity is Nowgam, one of the areas in Srinagar hit worst by the floods, and it was inevitable that Ahmad Hospital would receive most of those ill. (
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The owner, Dr Asif Khandey, said the hospital has ordered extra medical supplies from Delhi, but those are lying at the Srinagar airport, where authorities have been unable to clear them.
"We don't mind. Everyone can come here, but we wish the health department would just help us in procuring medicines," he said.
There are signs of desperate measures. Doctors have begun cutting bed sheets, sterilising them and using them for operations. With so many surgeries to perform, their offices have been turned into operation theatres. And since infection is the biggest post-operative threat, the NDTV team saw many doctors cleaning and sweeping the hospital themselves. (
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Nine members of Dr Khandey's family were missing till yesterday, when they were rescued from Rambagh. That did not stop him from continuing to serve the many patients lining up for treatment.
Doctors at the hospital said they do nor require monetary help, but do need medical supplies and antibiotics urgently.
On a round of the hospital, Dr Khandey showed this reporter many new-born babies who will be discharged soon along with their mothers. He is worried because none of these babies have been immunised as the hospital has run out of those medicines.
"They can get it done within ten days of birth," Dr Khandey said.