J&K orders probe into assault on doctor at Srinagar hospital

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry into a recent incident at Government Medical College, Srinagar, where a resident doctor was assaulted by a patient’s attendant, triggering protests from resident doctors who refrained from doing work.

In an order issued by Secretary Health and Medical Education Department Abid Rasheed Shah, Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary, Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K, has been appointed Inquiry Officer to probe into the incident.

The order said the officer will conduct an objective and comprehensive examination of the facts and circumstances pertaining to the law and order situation that occurred on July 23.

The officer has been tasked to assess the immediate precursors to the incident as well as the developments that ensued after the incident.

“Investigate the reasons for the closure of Operating Theatres (OTs), 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.

The inquiry officer will recommend concrete measures aimed at enhancing internal grievance redressal mechanisms, strengthening administrative coordination and improving the overall functioning of the institution and “propose remedial and preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

The officer shall submit a report to the government within 15 days from the date of issuance of the order and Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Administrator Associated Hospitals, GMC Srinagar, shall be the presenting officer in the case, the order said.

Resident doctors this week staged a protest at Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital following the alleged assault of a colleague by a patient’s attendant in the emergency ward.

SMHS Hospital operates under Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar.

The incident occurred after a patient passed away, prompting the attendant to physically attack an on-duty doctor. The assault triggered a strong reaction from the hospital’s medical staff, who launched a protest demanding immediate action against the accused.

The protesting doctors also refrained from work, which caused inconvenience to patients and disrupted routine services at the hospital.