GMC Jammu Doctors’ Shocking Neglect: Elderly Patient Left Bleeding for Hours

Public Outcry Demands LG Intervention and Accountability for GMC Jammu Doctors’ Actions; GMC Principal defends doctors, citing engagement with Samba Blast case

•  An elderly patient at GMC Jammu faced neglect and mistreatment by doctors, who prioritized patients with connections over her critical condition. Despite arriving with a head injury and profuse bleeding, the patient was subjected to unnecessary delays and ultimately forced to dress her own wounds.
•  When attendants protested the negligence, they were allegedly assaulted by a group of doctors and taken to the police chowki.
•  The incident has sparked public outrage and demands for accountability, with calls for the Lieutenant Governor to intervene and improve conditions at GMC Jammu.
•  GMC Principal Dr. Ashutosh Gupta attributes the delay in treating the elderly patient to the overwhelming influx of Samba Blast victims and the need to prioritize severe burn cases.

Harpreet Singh

Jammu, May 07: A disturbing incident at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu has exposed the callous and negligent behaviour of doctors towards an injured elderly patient, leaving the public appalled and questioning the state of healthcare at the institution.
Sukhvinder Singh, a concerned neighbour, rushed Kulwant Kour, an elderly woman who had suffered a fall and was profusely bleeding, to GMC Bakshi Nagar at 2 pm. Instead of providing immediate first aid and stitching her wounds, the doctors on duty insisted on CT scans and X-rays. Even after the tests were completed, the attending doctor refused to treat the patient, citing a 36-hour shift and directing them to seek help elsewhere, despite her critical condition.
Shockingly, while the elderly patient was left unattended, individuals arriving with recommendations from the Head of Department (HOD) received immediate medical attention. Finally, at 7:30 pm, Kulwant Kour’s wounds were stitched, but the ordeal didn’t end there. The doctor then instructed the attendants to dress the wounds themselves, leaving them in disbelief and forcing an elderly attendant to perform the task, as captured in a video recording.
When the attendants protested this neglectful treatment, a group of doctors allegedly resorted to physical assault, forcibly removing them from the premises and taking them to the police chowki. Thankfully, IC PP GMC Vijay Thakur, understood the situation and ensured the attendants receive the necessary medical assistance.
This appalling incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning the priorities of GMC doctors and expressing concerns about the lack of empathy and professionalism. Citizens are urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and address the deteriorating conditions at GMC Jammu.
The public demands strict action against the erring doctors to restore faith in the institution and ensure that GMC remains a place of healing and hope for all, not just those with influence. Following the harrowing experience at GMC, the attendants ultimately sought better treatment for Kulwant Kour at Bee Enn Hospital.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reform within GMC Jammu. If this is the treatment meted out to vulnerable elderly patients, it raises serious concerns about the plight of ordinary citizens seeking emergency medical care at the hospital. Jammu Jottings possesses the emergency ticket of Kulwant Kour, numbered 0019026 and dated 06/5/2024, and a video of an elderly man dressing the wounds of the injured lady, as evidence of this distressing event.
When contacted, GMC Principal Dr. Ashutosh Gupta explained that the influx of patients from the Samba Blast case had occupied the entire medical staff. He acknowledged the delay in treating the elderly woman but emphasized that it was not intentional, as doctors had to prioritize severe burn cases. Dr. Gupta further highlighted the strain on GMC’s resources, stating that the hospital, with a capacity for 100 cases, receives 500 cases daily. He clarified that the woman’s condition was not life-threatening and that doctors needed to rule out internal bleeding before proceeding. Dr. Gupta assured that he had taken the incident seriously and investigated the matter. He stated that the attendants brandished a weapon while the doctors were attending to burn cases, leading to their referral to the police.
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