Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jul 25: Taking a strong note of the ongoing doctors’ strike at SMHS Hospital, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, on Friday said that doctors responsible for denying patients access to medical care will face the harshest punishment under the law.
In an exclusive chat, Itoo while referring to the incident that led to the hospital closure said, “The truth is that yes, what happened there—the incident—was wrong, and everyone has condemned it. But to close the hospital, the emergency, the OPD, the OT, and to deny treatment to patients as a reaction—if, God forbid, someone had died in that situation, who would have been responsible for that tragedy? Who would have been accountable?”
The Minister announced that new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be implemented immediately. “First of all, doctors will have to be on duty. At night, there are a lot of complaints that senior doctors are not present; only junior doctors are present. This will not be tolerated. I have made this absolutely clear to them,” she said.
She expressed deep concern for the patients affected by the closure. “You saw how many patients came—how many were wandering outside helplessly. Most of those who could manage went to JVC, but those who were seriously ill were left suffering. What has been done is absolutely unjustified. The doctors are being blamed for their actions at this time; their profession does not allow this.”
“If something wrong has happened anywhere, there is a proper legal process for that. There are rules; you [doctors] could have initiated proceedings under those rules or informed the department, which would have taken further action. But shutting down emergency, OT, and OPD, and making patients suffer, cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.”
She questioned the root causes of such violent incidents in the hospitals. “Why do such situations arise? Why does such violence take place in hospitals? Who is responsible for creating these circumstances where attendants, patients, and doctors become ready for violence? These things are absolutely wrong and will not be tolerated,” she added.
She stressed that accountability is universal. “Doctors are our brothers. But that doesn’t mean doctors can do anything and nobody will question them. Accountability applies to everyone—whether it is a sweeper, a doctor, or a minister. If there is any compromise in patient care, it cannot be tolerated. Serious patients had to go back because the gates were closed. That is absolutely unjustified and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Itoo also announced a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. “All these things will be looked into; a full inquiry will take place, and the inquiry report will be submitted within 15 days. The report will look at everything: what actually happened and why violence occurred. The inquiry will start there and then go as far as to investigate why the hospital gates were closed, why patients were not attended to, and why the emergency and surgeries were closed. These things have to be examined because they are beyond tolerance.”
“People believe that, after God, if anyone can save a patient, it is a doctor. This is a very noble profession—close to my heart. But if someone makes a mistake in this profession… People trust that if they bring their patient, after God, the doctor can save them. A doctor has to treat and treat properly.”
She called for a change in behavior and attitude among healthcare professionals. “Doctors should behave in such a way that gives confidence to the patient and attendant. The most important thing is to correct behavior; it cannot go on like this,” she added.
The Health Minister also announced a new policy for identification. “Today, I have issued a written directive to the department that from now on, every doctor must wear an apron and a nameplate. Their name must be written on the apron so that whichever patient comes, they know which kind of doctor it is. This is very important. There are other SOPs as well that must be implemented.”
“Accountability is mandatory, no matter who it is. Things cannot continue in this manner,” she said, adding that whoever is found responsible in the ongoing inquiry will face appropriate action. “You have to start somewhere. In the past 10 years, every system has been ruined—there’s no accountability, nobody is answerable, everyone is doing as they please. But the people have created this government; this is the people’s government, we are their servants. Such things cannot be tolerated when it comes to patient care.”
“Doctors must understand this, and I request the public also to understand. If there are problems, if any doctor behaves wrongly, let us know—file a complaint. You cannot take the law into your own hands, whether you are a doctor, a senior officer, or any ordinary person. The law is there, and it must be followed. That is necessary,” she said.
