'Unwarranted Referrals' Overwhelm Kashmir's Tertiary Hospitals

Despite a marginal decline in recent months, unnecessary patient referrals from district and sub-district hospitals to tertiary care centres continue to strain Kashmir's top hospitals, raising concerns over systemic inefficiencies in the region's healthcare infrastructure.

- Observer News Service

Doctors working in leading tertiary hospitals such as SMHS, SKIMS, and others say that a significant number of patients referred to these institutions could be easily managed at local healthcare facilities if basic issues were addressed.

"Many referrals are avoidable," said a senior doctor at SMHS Hospital. "Most of these cases don't require specialised intervention and can be treated at the district or sub-district level. However, due to nonfunctional operation theatres after working hours, staff shortages, and lack of essential diagnostic facilities, patients are sent here unnecessarily."