Family alleges delay in cardiologist consultation; hospital denies negligence, four arrested after unrest
Allegations of medical negligence have emerged at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag following the death of a 55-year-old woman from Srigufwara on Friday. The incident triggered protests inside the hospital परिसर that reportedly turned violent, leaving several healthcare workers injured and causing damage to property.
Family Claims Delay in Critical Care
According to reports, the woman was initially taken to a nearby health centre after her condition worsened and was later referred to GMC Anantnag for advanced treatment. Her family has alleged that despite repeated requests, she was not examined by a cardiologist in time.
A family member stated that doctors at the local facility had assured them of cardiology consultation at GMC, but no such arrangement was made promptly. They claimed that timely medical intervention could have saved her life.
Protest Escalates into Violence
Following her death, relatives along with local residents staged a protest within the hospital premises. The situation quickly escalated, with some individuals allegedly engaging in vandalism and physically assaulting on-duty medical staff.
Hospital authorities confirmed that the unrest led to injuries among healthcare workers and damage to infrastructure, disrupting services temporarily.
Police Action and Investigation Underway
Police have registered an FIR (No. 118) in connection with the incident. Officials confirmed that four individuals have been arrested so far, while efforts are ongoing to identify others involved in the violence.
Authorities stated that the investigation will also examine the sequence of events leading to both the patient’s death and the subsequent unrest.
Hospital Denies Negligence
GMC Anantnag Principal Dr Rukhsana Najeeb strongly condemned the attack on medical personnel and public property. She said an internal inquiry committee was constituted immediately after the allegations surfaced.
According to preliminary findings, the hospital has not found evidence of medical negligence so far. The inquiry is ongoing.
Doctors’ Body Condemns Attack
AIMSA Vice President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also condemned the violence, stating that attacks on healthcare professionals cannot be justified under any circumstances.
He urged authorities to strengthen hospital security and ensure strict action against those responsible. Emphasising the challenges faced by doctors in emergency settings, he called for greater respect and protection for medical staff.
Rising Concern Over Hospital Safety
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in India, especially in high-pressure emergency environments. Experts continue to stress the need for better security mechanisms and public awareness to prevent such incidents in the future.
