Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 28: BJP MLA from Udhampur West Assembly Constituency Pawan Kumar Gupta today blamed the Jammu and Kashmir Government for “inaction” over an alleged assault on him by some doctors within the premises of Udhampur hospital on January 23 this year.
Raising a calling attention notice on the issue in the Legislative Assembly, Gupta also claimed that the NC Government has failed to check the “mismanaged functioning” at the hospital, where the patients are left to suffer.
Responding to the issue, Health Minister Sakina Itoo, however, said GMC Udhampur is functioning as per prescribed norms with all essential services operational.
She informed the House that the controversy relates to an incident on January 23 when a patient, Sanjay Gupta of Sangoor, Udhampur, was brought to the hospital in an unresponsive condition around 8 PM.
Quoting an internal inquiry, Itoo said, the patient was immediately attended by a junior resident doctor who administered CPR and emergency care, but he was declared dead at 9:16 PM after clinical examination.
Quoting the inquiry findings, she said the patient had either expired prior to arrival or succumbed immediately upon being brought to the hospital.
She said the report concluded that doctors acted promptly and as per medical protocol.
The Minister, however, acknowledged the incident involving the MLA and said a separate, comprehensive inquiry has been ordered to examine all aspects, including administrative, security and conduct issues.
For this, she said, Ashutosh Gupta has been appointed as Inquiry Officer.
Raising supplementary question over his calling attention motion, Pawan Gupta, however, questioned the “contradictory” stand of the Government on declaring the patient “brought dead” while administering CPR and alleged that senior doctors were absent during the crucial period.
He also reiterated that he was attacked by a doctor during the episode, stating that though he has personally forgiven the individual, the Government has failed to clarify what action has been taken over the incident.
The Minister maintained that due procedure was followed and assured the House that if the member remains dissatisfied, the matter will be further examined and findings shared, while reiterating the Government’s commitment to maintaining discipline and ensuring proper functioning of healthcare institutions.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
