More than 1,200 patients visited the district hospital and the medical college-affiliated base hospital in Almora after outpatient services resumed following 3 consecutive holidays. The sudden rush left outpatient departments crowded and many patients waiting for hours for their turn.
Patients arrived from Hawalbagh, Lamgara, Takula, Dhauladevi and other development blocks. The district hospital recorded 700 patients, while more than 500 reached the base hospital for treatment.
Crowding after consecutive holidays
The 3-day break included Sunday’s weekly holiday, followed by the Navami holiday on Monday and Vijayadashami on Tuesday. When the hospitals reopened on Wednesday morning, patients gathered in large numbers for consultations.
Most of the patients reported symptoms including fever, cold, cough and stomach pain. The rush increased pressure on the outpatient departments, with patients having to wait for their appointments and consultations.
Skin specialist position remains vacant
Patients requiring treatment for skin-related conditions faced an additional difficulty at the district hospital because a skin specialist was not available. Several patients reportedly had to return without treatment, while some sought care at private hospitals and clinics.
The shift to private treatment added to the patients’ financial burden. The report did not provide the number of patients who required skin-related care or the amount they spent privately.
Dr H.C. Gadkoti, the Provincial Medical Services officer of Almora District Hospital, said the patient load had increased because of the 3-day holiday period. He said hospital arrangements had been kept operational.
Gadkoti also said correspondence had been sent to the government to fill the vacant skin specialist . No appointment date was provided.
What patients should know
The reported attendance figures were more than 700 patients at the district hospital and more than 500 at the base hospital. Together, the hospitals saw more than 1,200 OPD patients after services resumed.
The account highlights the pressure created when outpatient services restart after consecutive holidays. It also points to the effect of the vacant skin specialist position on patients seeking that service.
Conclusion
Almora’s 2 hospitals faced a heavy outpatient rush after 3 holidays, with more than 1,200 patients seeking care. Hospital officials said arrangements were functioning and that government correspondence had begun to fill the vacant skin specialist .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many patients visited the 2 hospitals?
More than 1,200 patients visited the district and base hospital OPDs after the holiday break.
Q. How many patients reached the district hospital?
The district hospital’s OPD received 700 patients.
Q. How many patients visited the base hospital?
More than 500 patients reached the medical college-affiliated base hospital’s OPD.
Q. Why did the hospitals become crowded?
The rush followed 3 consecutive holidays, including Sunday’s weekly holiday, Navami and Vijayadashami.
Q. Which areas did patients come from?
Patients came from Hawalbagh, Lamgara, Takula, Dhauladevi and other development blocks.
Q. Which common symptoms were reported?
Many patients came with fever, cold, cough, stomach pain and other illnesses.
Q. Why did some skin patients seek private treatment?
The district hospital did not have a skin specialist, so some patients sought treatment at private hospitals and clinics.
Q. What action has been taken regarding the vacant ?
Hospital officials said correspondence had been sent to the government to fill the vacant skin specialist position.
