JR doctor’s services terminated, 2 nurses suspended after man’s negligence death

Explanation sought for unauthorised absence from duties

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, August 11: Junior resident (JR) doctor’s (academic arrangement) services were terminated and two staff nurses were placed under suspension by the administration of GMC & AH Rajouri after the death of a male patient due to the alleged negligence of the staff.
Attendants of the deceased alleged that the staff, including a doctor on duty, were absent from duties and were not traceable at about midnight when the patient was to be shifted in the emergency resuscitation room by them.
Medical Superintendent, Government Medical College & Associated Hospital (GMC&AH) has also initiated an inquiry into the allegations of death due to negligence on the part of the staff on duty.
The three-member committee, including Dr. Shalinder Sharma, Dr. Devinder Kumar & Vipin Sharma, Law Officer (GMC), was asked to inquire into the matter and to submit its report within three days.
Meanwhile, Principal (in-charge) GMC Rajouri on Thursday has also sought an explanation from HoD, Medicine Department that why Dr. Momina Khan, junior resident working in the department was absent from her duties in the intervening night of August 10 & 11 (as per duty roaster she was on duty) when the patient died.
An explanation has also been sought within 24 hours about the evening rounds of consultants of the department with specific comments on the treatment given to the deceased patient and probable cause of death.
One Ankush Sharma resident of Tatapani (Kalakot) was admitted in the male medical ward of GMC&AH Rajouri on 10/8/22.
At about 3 am (11/2/22) he developed a serious illness, but according to attendants the staff on duty, including Dr. Momina Khan and staff nurses Shasista Tabassum & Shaheen Akhter, were absent from duties, to shift the patient in the emergency resuscitation room.
The patient was later put on a ventilator by a team of doctors, but he died at about 4.15 am.
After a protest by the attendants and second death within days due to hospital staff negligence, DC also visited the hospital in the morning to take stock of the functioning in the hospital.
Dr. Momina has been terminated from her services with immediate effect while both the nurses were suspended by the Medical Superintendent, GMC & AH, and were attached to the office of Principal, GMC.