Srinagar, Sept. 10 -- Thirteen of the 14 paediatric and neonatal ventilators at Government Medical College (GMC), Baramulla, have been non-functional for nine months, leaving just one operational machine for the entire department, right to information (RTI) records reveal.

North Kashmir's largest health institution has also dealt with a defunct CT scan machine for weeks, forcing patients to pay higher rates at private diagnostic centres.

An RTI filed by Awami Ittehad Party leader Inam-ul-Nabi reveals zero expenditure on equipment repair and maintenance since January 1, 2020. The response recorded "nil" for audits and inspections during this period, though no machine was officially declared beyond repair.

The RTI attributes the prolonge...