The Jammu & Kashmir government Saturday ordered an inquiry into the “law and order situation” that occurred at Srinagar Government Medical College on July 23 after the death of a patient.
The Health and Medical Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir appointed Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary, Mission Director, National Health Mission, as inquiry officer to look into the incident and assess “the facts and circumstances pertaining to the law-and-order situation that occurred on 23rd.” The department has directed that a report regarding the incident be submitted within 15 days.
A 52-year-old patient was brought to SMHS hospital associated with the medical college in a “gasping state” on Wednesday, however the patient was declared dead after attempts at resuscitation failed. Following this, a scuffle broke out between the attendants of the deceased and doctors present at the scene. In protest, doctors allegedly suspended medical services for a while, affecting several patients.
According to a government order, the inquiry will also assess the “immediate precursors to the said incident, as well as the developments that ensued after the incident.”
The inquiry will also investigate the reasons for the closure of operation theatres, assess whether such closure was avoidable, and “fix responsibility upon the individuals” found to have acted in dereliction of duty or in contravention of established protocols, the order said.
Meanwhile, the department has directed “concrete measures” aimed at enhancing internal grievance redressal mechanisms, strengthening administrative coordination, and improving the overall functioning of the medical college.
‘Wear name plates, white aprons’
In another order issued on Saturday, the H&ME department has advised doctors as well as paramedical staff engaged at J&K’s health institutions to wear “proper white aprons” and “wear legible name plates displaying their full name and designation” at all times while on duty.
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The directions came after reports that that doctors and paramedical staff are not strictly adhering to the prescribed norms regarding wearing of aprons and displaying of nameplates during duty hours. “Such non-compliance is causing inconvenience to patients in identifying healthcare personnel,” the department said.
