Four doctors suspended over alleged medical negligence in Pulwama

SRINAGAR — Taking a serious note of the alleged medical negligence, leading to the death of a Municipal Committee employee on Monday in Pulwama, Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) on Tuesday ordered the suspension of four doctors and attached with the Directorate.

Moreover, Directorate ordered for the constitution of a Divisional Level Committee to inquire about the matter and submit a report within two days.

“Pending inquiry regarding the death of a patient at District Hospital Pulwama, four doctors namely Dr Hilal Ahmad, Medical Officer; Dr Gulzar Ahmad, Medical Officer; Dr Alfer Nafie, Medical Officer and Dr Mohd Ashraf, Medical Officer (NHM) are hereby put under suspension with immediate effect and are attached with Directorate of Health Services Kashmir,” reads the order issued by Director Health Services Kashmir, a copy of which lies with the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

In a separate order, DHSK said that a four-member Divisional Level Committee has been constituted to inquire about the matter that will submit a report within two days.

“The inquiry team of officers namely Dr Janziab Tanki, Dy. Director Dentistry, Dr Kounsar Amin, Asstt. Director, Dr Nasir Shamus, Consultant Medicine, JLNM Hospital Srinagar and Mr Hamid Sultan, Sr. Assistant, DHSK at Divisional Level is hereby constituted to enquire about the death of a patient at District Hospital Pulwama on 31st of January, 2022 and constituted team is directed to submit the factual report to the undersigned within two days,” the order reads.

It is pertinent to mention here that Mohammad Hussain Hafiz of Dalipora Pulwama, who was an employee of Municipal Committee Pulwama, died on Monday due to a heart attack, reportedly.

However, his relatives alleged that when Hafiz was taken to District Hospital Pulwama, no doctor was present there and according to them, the person died due to medical negligence following which his relatives besides some BDC members protested and demanded investigation and reshuffle of the staff.

While taking cognizance of the matter, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama said that an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the veracity of medical negligence on the part of doctors and staff on duty. He said that a three-member committee has been constituted in this regard which shall submit a report in a period of three days.

“In case of medical negligence, the law would take its course and negligence shall be dealt in consonance with law. The administration is committed towards the goal of quality, sustainable and equitable health care for all,” DC Pulwama said.

He added that doctors and paramedical staff have been playing a pivotal role in patient management amid the third wave of COVID-19, however, any deliberate negligence on the part of staff can’t be tolerated. “Any mischievous attempt at creating a fake news and false counter-narrative of spreading baseless rumours and vested propaganda shall be aptly dealt with,” he said.