Srinagar: The Bone and Joint Hospital at Barzulla, Srinagar—one of the Valley’s key healthcare centres for accident and trauma cases—is facing a worsening parking crisis, leaving attendants of patients distressed and angry.
Attendants rushing to the hospital with emergency cases say the shrinking premises can no longer accommodate their vehicles. With no designated parking for visitors, they are forced to leave their cars on the roadside, adding to traffic congestion and chaos.
What makes matters worse, attendants allege, is the attitude of the hospital security staff. Instead of extending help, they often misbehave with patients and their families. “We are already under stress while bringing accident victims here. On top of that, the security guards behave rudely and do not even allow us to wait inside for a few minutes,” said a group of attendants.
A major chunk of the hospital’s limited parking space, attendants complain, is occupied by vehicles of hospital employees. Even when space is available, visitors are allegedly denied entry, while staff cars remain parked inside for hours. “The entire parking lot looks like it belongs only to staff. Attendants bringing patients are left struggling outside on the road,” said an elderly attendant.
As the Valley’s only specialised orthopaedic hospital, the Bone and Joint Hospital remains crowded throughout the day, witnessing a steady influx of trauma and emergency patients. Attendants warn that the lack of parking facilities not only adds to their ordeal but can also turn critical in medical emergencies when every minute matters.
“Hospital premises should reduce stress, not add to it. The administration must streamline parking and ensure attendants bringing patients are given priority,” another attendant urged.
Despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to resolve the mess. Many believe a permanent solution lies in expanding the premises and creating a structured parking facility exclusively for attendants and emergency vehicles.
The situation has triggered mounting public resentment, with calls for the Health and Medical Education Department to step in urgently and restore order at the busy hospital. [KNT]
