The silent emergency in region’s healthcare sector

THE recent protest demonstrations at the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, following the death of a patient over alleged negligence, have once again brought into sharp focus the growing cracks in the region’s public healthcare system. The incident has underscored the urgent need to revamp medical infrastructure, address chronic staff shortages and instil administrative accountability.

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While assaults on doctors by relatives of deceased patients — often driven by grief and frustration — can never be justified, the rising number of such incidents points to deeper systemic issues. Health experts stress that upgrading infrastructure and ensuring adequate medical staff are crucial steps towards reducing preventable deaths, especially among critically ill patients.

In recent years, allegations of medical negligence have surged across the Jammu region. However, beyond the announcement of routine inquiries, little tangible action has been taken to resolve the underlying problems.

During the budget session this year, Health Minister Sakina Itoo revealed in the Legislative Assembly that the Health Department was grappling with a staggering 16,000 vacant posts of doctors and paramedics across Jammu and Kashmir. The vacancies span key divisions, including Ayush, the National Health Mission and Government Medical Colleges (GMCs). Despite this, the minister maintained that hospitals and medical colleges were functioning “smoothly.”

Yet, a spate of tragic incidents tells a different story. In December last year, five doctors at GMC, Rajouri, were suspended after a pregnant woman died, with her family alleging negligence. In July 2023, a probe was initiated after the amputation of a patient’s foot at GMC, Jammu, due to alleged negligence. Similarly, a woman died after delivery at Sub-District Hospital (SDH), Akhnoor, where relatives claimed she was denied timely treatment.

The last week’s case involved a patient referred back from PGI Chandigarh to GMC Jammu, who died during treatment. GMC Principal Dr Ashutosh Gupta said the patient suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and attendants were informed of the poor prognosis. Tensions escalated when the patient’s daughter assaulted a female doctor, prompting a doctors’ strike demanding the arrest of the accused. The strike was called off after the culprit was booked.

Adding to public frustration is the delay in the release of inquiry reports. Notably, an investigation into the deaths of four Covid-19 patients at a private hospital — allegedly due to oxygen shortage during the peak of the pandemic in May 2021 — has yet to be made public.

Despite the establishment of new government medical colleges in Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, and Kathua, these institutions largely operate as referral centres, shifting seriously ill patients to GMC Jammu. In the aftermath of major road accidents, critically injured patients are also referred to GMC Jammu, overburdening the already stretched facility.

In February this year, the J&K and Ladakh High Court, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), expressed serious concern over the acute shortage of medical staff in government hospitals across the Union Territory.

The growing chorus of public outcry and judicial scrutiny signals the need for urgent, systemic reforms to restore public trust in Jammu’s healthcare system.