Rayees Ahmad Kumar
A disturbing scene unfolded at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar when a resident doctor, Dr. Shahnawaz, was assaulted by a patient’s attendant, sparking widespread protests from the medical fraternity. The incident occurred on July 22, 2025, in the hospital’s emergency ward, after a patient named Javid Ahmad died allegedly due to medical negligence. Resident doctors suspended medical services and locked the hospital gates, causing chaos and anguish among patients and their families. Hundreds of patients and attendants were stranded, with some desperately seeking urgent medical attention.
The patient’s family alleged that Dr. Shahnawaz ignored Javid’s worsening condition and asked for medicine to be brought from outside, contributing to his death. They demanded access to CCTV footage and an independent investigation into the incident. A CCTV video captured the moment when the doctor was slapped by the patient’s attendant, sparking outrage across the medical community. The doctors demanded strict action against the accused and better protection for healthcare professionals. GMC Srinagar condemned the assault, and an FIR was also registered against the accused. The administration assured that hospitals are “public institutions serving humanity” and appealed for calm and respect during times of distress. The medical fraternity has appealed for strict security measures to prevent future incidents and ensure hospitals remain safe spaces for both patients and healthcare providers.
If we look back, it is not the single incident, which has happened in the public health institutions of Jammu Kashmir and earlier also such episodes have ignited public outcry. Doctor’s profession is one of the noblest, in times of desperation and intolerable pain, patient’s only hope is none other than a doctor. That is why, he is often given the sobriquet of next to God in view of their life saving services.
Respecting doctors is must for a society, given their utmost role in the society. During wars, natural calamities and global pandemics, these health care professionals perform heroically to serve humanity at large. In past, during World Wars and Covid like situations, they have dedicated themselves to ignite a ray of hope among dying population.
Merely dedicating a day each year on first July to organize seminars, symposiums and debates and celebrating extravagantly can’t do anything wonderful, unless we are morally upright to recognize the noble services of these front line workers who work day and night in hospitals, spending least time with their families and almost neglecting both their parents and children, giving priority to patient care.
Becoming a doctor is everyone’s dream at secondary and higher secondary level, however only those who work tirelessly, study passionately and burn midnight oil, qualify to prefix Dr before their good names. This Dr before their names is a testament to their dedication, fortitude and cognitive efficiency. Thus, they deserve utmost respect and honor in the society.
Harassing a doctor in health institutions and compelling them to seek jobs outside the state, is evidently a cause of concern and in no way advantageous for general public especially downtrodden people seeking treatment in government hospitals. However, soon after the perturbing video was shared on all social media plateforms, displaying a doctor being slapped by an attendant of a patient, medical fraternity expressed strong outcry and anguish and these Godly figures protested outside the hospital demanding stern action against the person. They shut the doors of emergency ward and denied OPD services to poor and underprivileged people, thereby showing utter non-seriousness towards their legitimate duties, which in no way can be encouraging and demands mass condemnation from all sections of society.
Doctors can’t deny treatment to ill people merely for being misbehaved, such incidents happen occasionally and occur only when it seems that a doctor hasn’t shouldered his responsibility well. However, it can’t be denied that attendants and sometimes patients too unnecessarily engage in verbal brawls and assaults with doctors in hospitals, to contain and check such incidents, there are strict laws in vogue which need to be implemented in letter and spirit.
Three years ago, due to a sudden fall in the washroom of my hired room at Ganderbal, the Achilles tendon of my left leg got partially damaged, I was admitted to prestigious SKIMS hospital of Soura Srinagar for nine straight days. After a successful surgery by renowned plastic surgeon Prof Dr Umar Farooq Baba and remaining bedridden for about four months, by the grace of Almighty God, I was able to walk freely and enjoy the vibrant colours of life outside. They way Dr Umar treated me and paramedical staff cooperated, it was all heartwarming as well as commendable. Since then I heartily respect doctor’s community and hold SKIMS in high regard and esteem as I had lost all hopes and my every well wisher was suggesting treatment outside the state, which I completely refused and had full faith both in Dr Umar Farooq Baba and SKIMS’s work culture.
It is crucial to recognize the societal services of doctors and in return, doctors also must do justice with their noble profession.
(The author is a freelancer and hails from Qazigund. He can be reached at [email protected])
