SRINAGAR, J&K — Grief and anger gripped the Soiteng area of Srinagar following the death of a 19-year-old youth at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital. The family of the deceased, identified as Faisal Ahmad, has alleged medical negligence and unprofessional conduct by the hospital staff, leading to protests and demands for a high-level investigation.
The Incident: From Abdominal Pain to Fatality
According to family members, Faisal was brought to the hospital late Friday night after complaining of severe stomach pain. While he appeared stable after being shifted to a ward on Saturday, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
- Allegations of Neglect: Relatives claimed that Faisal began experiencing breathlessness, but a ventilator was not made available in time.
- Doctor’s Conduct: In a shocking allegation, the family claimed that instead of treating the gasping patient, an attending doctor took the medical file and fled the spot to avoid the family’s questions.
SMHS Hospital’s Defense: Late Referral and Irreversible Shock
The SMHS hospital administration has strongly refuted the claims of negligence, framing the incident as a case of a failed critical referral from a private medical facility.
- Critical Condition on Arrival: A top official stated that Faisal was undergoing treatment at a private hospital before being brought to SMHS with no detectable pulse or blood pressure.
- Surgical Findings: Doctors diagnosed the patient with acute abdomen with sepsis and a hole in the intestine (ileal perforation). Due to the extreme risk, a “triple high-risk bond” was reportedly signed by the family before surgery.
- Clarification on “Fleeing” Doctor: Addressing the claim that a doctor ran away, the administration explained that the medic left the spot only after the patient had passed away to ensure his personal safety as the relatives became aggressive.
Public Outcry and Demands
The incident has reignited a debate regarding the quality of care in government-run hospitals and the accountability of private clinics that refer patients only after they reach an irreversible state. The family of Faisal Ahmad continues to demand a transparent probe into the available resources at the hospital ward and the specific actions of the medical team during Faisal’s final minutes.
