MUZAFFARABAD: In order to provide uniform and quality services to women at all health facilities, particularly those located in remote areas, AJK Director Health on Thursday drew plans after consultations with leading gynaecologists in Muzaffarabad which include the establishment of a hotline between two of the bigger hospitals in Muzaffarabad.

The strategy was worked out by AJK Director General Health Dr Sardar Mehmood Ahmed Khan in collaboration with gynaecologists who serve in Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan (SKZN) hospital and the Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS). Other officials from the department and both the hospitals also attended the meeting.

It was noted that women in remote areas were facing problems due to a lack of proper facilities in health care centres, particularly after childbirth.

Hotline between hospitals to be established so doctors can discuss cases in remote areas

It was therefore decided to establish a hotline between the SKZN hospital and AIMS to strengthen the referral system and so that all requisite measures would be taken to provide “speedy and effective” health services to patients who are referred from a facility outside the AJK capital.

Participants of the meeting discussed the situation in the Neelum Valley where, according to local residents, a gynaecologist or a female house officer has not been deployed for attending to the women in the area.

They agreed that because of the “inactive” gynaecology department in the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Athmuqam, women had to face many problems.

In most cases, women who were going through labour would be asked to travel to Muzaffarabad for treatment.

In order to facilitate women, DG Khan decided that all Muzaffarabad based gynaecologists would be required to attend to patients in the DHQ hospital in Athmuqam for 15 days on rotation from May 15 onwards.

The DG said that this will provide quality healthcare to women and will also reduce the workload on both the bigger health facilities in Muzaffarabad.

He appreciated the efforts of the specialists and medical officers working in the gynaecology department of both hospitals for serving marginalised communities.

Participants of the meeting also shared their problems with the DG including issues of promotions. Mr Khan then assured that that the department will take all possible measures to facilitate doctors and will address their issues.

The DG announced that state of the art gynaecology departments will be established in all DHQ hospitals across AJK in a short time and that work on the new departments was going on with cooperation from various stakeholders.

“These departments will be equipped with modern equipment and the staff will also be provided with training,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2016