Srinagar, Sep 30, Sept. 30 -- A patient at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar has reportedly been given a surgery date nearly five months after being assessed, raising concerns over waiting periods for elective procedures at the government-run tertiary care hospital. According to an OPD record dated September 25, 2026, a patient examined in the hospital's surgery department was advised to undergo laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. The procedure has been scheduled for February 19, 2027. A relative of the patient said the case highlights the difficulties faced by people who rely on government hospitals for specialised and affordable treatment, particularly those who cannot afford prolonged care at private facilities. The patient had approached th...