For the past few days, I have been at District Hospital Kargil, spending most of my nights with a family member who is admitted there. During this time, I closely observed many things—some that reflect the dedication of our healthcare workers and others that highlight serious issues that need immediate attention.

One of the most reassuring aspects was seeing the doctors and hospital staff working tirelessly, even late at night. Their dedication to patient care is truly commendable, and their efforts deserve our recognition and appreciation. However, while the hospital functions efficiently inside, the situation outside tells a different story. The entire parking area and open spaces around the hospital remain in complete darkness due to the absence of streetlights. The only source of light comes from the hospital building itself. This not only creates inconvenience but also raises safety concerns, especially for those visiting the hospital at night. Another major issue is the lack of security at the hospital’s main gate—there is no guard present to manage entry or ensure safety, which is a serious oversight.

Adding to these concerns is the increasing presence of stray dogs around the hospital premises, especially in the parking area and lawns right outside the main entrance. I noticed old hospital beds placed outside, possibly as spare or discarded ones, and several stray dogs were lying on them. Shockingly, even near the main entrance, some old beds were stacked, which seemed to be placed there to stop dogs from entering the hospital. This raises serious questions about hygiene and proper waste management. The presence of stray dogs in such a critical area is not just an inconvenience but a potential risk, especially considering that the blood laboratory is located at a walking distance from the main building. One can only imagine the dangers if someone were to be bitten by a stray dog while trying to reach there, particularly at night.

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A particularly distressing incident occurred last night when a patient from Parkachik passed away around 7:30 PM. Later, I met the family and relatives of the deceased, who were already grieving but also deeply troubled because they could not find an ambulance to take the body home. Despite multiple efforts, they were unable to arrange one. Upon further inquiry, we learned from the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Kargil that they were facing a shortage of funds for fuel, which had led to this crisis. By chance, Zakir Sahab (Executive Councillor) was also present at the hospital, and after discussing the matter, he immediately contacted the Director of Health, UT Ladakh, in Leh to highlight the urgency of the situation. After much effort and coordination, the ambulance was finally arranged around 10:30 PM—a delay of almost three hours. However, even when the ambulance was arranged, the driver was not present on duty, and he had to be called and brought to the hospital. This clearly indicates serious gaps in the hospital’s administrative management, even though the doctors and medical staff are doing an excellent job.

In such difficult situations, organizations like Baqirya Health Care and Research Centre (Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, Kargil) and Al-Reza Health Care & Research Foundation Kargil (Jamiat-Ul-Ulama Isna Ashria Kargil UT Ladakh) have been playing a crucial role in helping people. Their contributions in providing ambulance services and other healthcare support have been invaluable, especially during emergencies. Even in past incidents in my own village, Baqirya Health Care has stepped in to assist when no other resources were available. I sincerely thank both these organizations, their dedicated doctors, healthcare teams, and ambulance drivers for their tireless service to the people of Kargil.

As a Councillor and a part of LAHDC Kargil, I strongly believe that these issues must be addressed collectively. This is not about blaming individuals or pointing fingers at any department. Instead, it is about acknowledging that small issues, when ignored, can turn into major problems for ordinary people. Maybe these concerns are not always highlighted in administrative discussions, but for the common man, they can create real hardships. Issues like street lighting, hospital security, stray dog management, and ambulance availability are not impossible to fix. They just need better planning, coordination, and a proactive approach.

I hope that by bringing these concerns forward, we can work towards finding solutions. Let’s not wait for another crisis to act. It is our collective duty to ensure that no one suffers due to avoidable shortcomings in our healthcare system.