Bandipora, July 23 -- Suhail Rather

The transfer of Dr. Shahood Kakroo, the lone cardiologist posted at District Hospital Bandipora, has triggered public outrage and effectively rendered the district's newly launched cardiac care unit defunct.

JK Government on Wednesday deputed Dr Shahood Kakroo to GMC Anantnag for augmenting Cath Lab service. The move, has sparked sharp criticism from civil society groups, doctors, and patients, who term it a severe blow to the fragile healthcare setup of the north Kashmir district.

Dr. Kakroo, who had recently begun cardiac OPD services in Bandipora, had also started using the echocardiography machine brought in specifically for him to operate.

His abrupt transfer has now halted all cardiology servi...