Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 27: Authorities at Government Medical College Anantnag today suspended three employees pending an inquiry into the alleged administration of expired intravenous (IV) glucose to patients in the General Surgery ward.
Medical Superintendent Dr Arshid Hussain said the hospital administration has taken cognisance of the incident that occurred on Thursday and ordered a time-bound probe.
“Pending inquiry, three employees have been suspended, including the incharge storekeeper, incharge pharmacist of the ward and a staff nurse,” he told reporters.
He said an inquiry committee has been constituted and directed to submit its report within five days.
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“We will ascertain what exactly went wrong and take necessary action as per rules. Strict disciplinary action will follow if any wrongdoing is established,” he added.
Dr Hussain, however, cautioned against generalising the incident.
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“If three employees have committed any lapse, it cannot be attributed to the entire hospital. There may have been certain shortcomings in this case, but in a broader perspective, the institution has been performing well,” he said.
He asserted that GMC Anantnag’s performance is on par with leading medical colleges in the Union Territory.
He further said a separate medical audit has been initiated, particularly focusing on drug supplies and storage systems.
“All medical stores will be audited to determine whether this was a deliberate act or an inadvertent error,” he said, urging the public to maintain trust in healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, one of the suspended employees, staff nurse Uzma Hamid, termed the action “unjust and unethical.”
Speaking to Excelsior, she alleged that due procedure was not followed before placing her under suspension.
“Was the roster checked? Was the distribution verified? I was harassed by a patient’s attendant and even my clothes were torn,” she claimed.
“When I was informed that the glucose might be expired, I immediately checked and alerted the concerned CMO on duty, asking him to verify the matter.”
She maintained that there is no evidence establishing her culpability, stressing that she is neither the head of the ward nor responsible for procurement or storage.
“I was suspended without being heard. I urge the Health Minister to intervene and ensure a fair inquiry,” she said.
The incident had triggered panic among patients and attendants earlier, after allegations surfaced that expired IV fluid was being administered in the ward, prompting swift administrative action and the ordering of an inquiry.
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