Kupwara: Funds were never granted for the fencing of Kupwara Sub district hospital and all the norms were followed for the procurement of instruments and logistics for COVID-19, said Kupwara Chief Medical Officer, on Tuesday.
Seeking to refute allegations in a story published by a local newspaper, a few days ago, regarding embezzlement of funds and mismanagement at the hospital, Dr Kausar Amin said,
“Funds were received from different heads for procurement of material needed to fight COVID-19. Proper record has been maintained and not a single penny went unaccounted for,” she added.
To a question, CMO said that her office was open and willing to cooperate in any probe regarding the funds and subsequent procurement of instruments and logistics needed to fight COVID-19.
“The news items is completely baseless and lacks substance. I am willing to cooperate in any sort of inquiry related to funds. The false allegation of embezzlement has demoralised the medical staff working round the clock during the pandemic,” she added.
Dearth of medical staff has taken a heavy toll on the health care facility in the district. To make the matters worse, the pandemic has left the health authorities struggling.
“We have acute shortage of medical staff. Many working under different
schemes often don’t attend their duties or have left the job” she said.
“Also, many health employees of the district have been attached with isolation centers, which has further added to the shortage of manpower,” she added.
Kupwara SDH was turned into a full-fledged COVID-19 hospital in March this year.
Recently much to the respite of patients, some of the facilities including dialysis unit were restored at the hospital.
Meanwhile taking note of the report publish in local daily, Additional DC Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone, on Tuesday issued a letter to the Editor of newspaper seeking his personal appearance on July 2, 2020, with all the documentary evidence and related documents.
“In views of the news item carried by your newspaper, you are asked to appear before this office on 02-07-2020 to explain your position in the matter along with documentary evidence upon, which you relied upon for publishing the news item,” reads letter.
“In case you fail to appear on the scheduled date and time it shall be presumed that you have nothing to say in your defense and appropriate legal action shall be initiated against you,” it added.
