Umaisar Gull Ganie
Qaimoh, Aug 21: Water accumulation, poor sanitation and a recent power outage have raised questions over basic infrastructure and maintenance at the newly inaugurated 50-bed Sub-District Hospital (SDH) at Qaimoh, a facility that took nearly two decades to materialise.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), pertinently, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo inaugurated the new hospital here in South Kashmir on August 9, 2026 and dedicated it to the public.
The SDH Qaimoh project was sanctioned during 2008-09 under the Prime Minister’s Development Programme (PMDP). Constructed by the R&B Division Kulgam at an estimated cost of Rs 19.33 crore, the facility has 50 inpatient beds besides OPDs, IPDs and diagnostic laboratories.
However, days after its reopening, concerns have emerged over water accumulation, sanitation and electricity supply at the facility.
According to officials, water accumulated on the hospital floor after plastic got stuck in the drainage system, blocking the outlet. The water was drained out the following morning.
An official said the incident was linked to the clogged drainage pipeline. The R&B Department has also raised construction-related concerns with the contractor and issued three notices, directing him to rectify deficiencies, including improper tile fixture.
Regarding the water accumulation, a health official, wishing not to be named, said the tap had remained open for several hours, leading to the incident. He, however, denied allegations of poor sanitation at the hospital.
Meanwhile, sanitation at the hospital premises has also come under scrutiny, with visuals showing plastic packets and other waste scattered around parts of the facility.
A local resident said, “What is the fun of misusing money when things are not fixed? We waited for 20 years and could have waited a little longer. Why was there such a hurry? There is poor sanitation, and a power outage was also witnessed a few days ago. All this is happening just days after the reopening of the hospital.”
A few days ago, the hospital also faced a power outage, triggering concern among patients and attendants. Officials said there is no dedicated hotline at the facility for reporting electricity-related issues.
The health official said the hospital needs a dedicated electricity facility as emergency procedures are required to be conducted there. He, however, said he had no information about the recent power outage.
Residents urged the concerned departments to address the reported deficiencies and ensure that the newly opened hospital provides uninterrupted essential services to patients and attendants—(KNO)
