Sir,
Please refer to the Op-ed ‘The Silent Scream: Why our Doctors in J&K live in Fear’ published on 21.07.25.While all the factors or issues raised by the author including too much work load to unrealistic expectations to poor deterrent response to incidents of violence against the health professions are very relevant , one very important issue that author has not delved into any details is lack of accountability or very poor regulation of health professionals including doctors in the system that currently exists especially in Government Hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir .There is no effective redressal system for acts of gross negligence ,in fact the doctors in Government hospitals could come across as acting with impunity with out any regard for the code of ethics that must underpin their practice .
While any acts of violence or aggression towards the health care professionals must be condemned unequivocally there must be a system that holds the doctors accountable for any perceived acts of negligence especially in Government hospitals .In fact the relevant agencies including Government should maintain a data base of incident s to examine the link between perceived negligence and violence by affected families towards staff particularly in Government hospitals.
Avneet Sharma
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, South West England
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