Medical Superintendent Seeks Explanation for Misuse of Government Ambulance; Questions Raised Over Administrative Responsibility and Transparency
Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohd Shafiq issues a two day show cause notice to the in charge driver after a Government ambulance was allegedly used for filming a social media reel without permission.
Public demands that the inquiry should examine administrative accountability at all levels including Dr Mohd. Shafiq, MS, the makers of the reel and not be confined only to the driver.
Fresh controversy comes close on the heels of allegations at SDH Surankote regarding extra official charges, intensifying scrutiny of the functioning of Government health institutions in Poonch.
JJ Correspondent
Poonch, July 27, 2026: Three days after a viral social media reel allegedly filmed inside a Government ambulance at Raja Sukhdev Singh District Hospital, Poonch, sparked public outrage, the hospital administration has initiated formal disciplinary proceedings by issuing a show cause notice to the in charge ambulance driver, directing him to explain within two days how the emergency vehicle was allegedly misused for a private social media reel without any permission from the hospital authorities.
The notice, issued by Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohd. Shafiq, pertains to Ambulance No. JK12-7988 and has been served upon the in charge driver of the vehicle.
According to the official communication, a viral video circulating on social media platforms and reported by Daily Jammu Jottings allegedly shows the District Hospital ambulance being used for filming a social media reel. The notice states that such use of a Government ambulance is unlawful, unethical and was carried out without obtaining permission from the competent hospital authority.
The Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohd Shafiq has asked the driver to explain within two days why the ambulance, meant exclusively for transporting patients from one place to another as per medical requirements, was allegedly used for a private purpose, resulting in public controversy over the misuse of a patient ambulance. The notice warns that disciplinary action may follow if the explanation is found unsatisfactory.
Copies of the communication have also been forwarded to the Director Health Services, Jammu, and the Chief Medical Officer, Poonch, for information and necessary action.
The development follows the earlier assurance given by the Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohd Shafiq to Jammu Jottings that no permission had been granted for shooting any reel inside the ambulance and that strict action would be initiated against those responsible.
While many have welcomed the issuance of the notice as the first formal step in the inquiry, the action has also generated fresh debate among residents and civil society groups regarding the scope of accountability.
Several members of the public have questioned whether fixing responsibility solely on the ambulance driver would be sufficient when the incident allegedly took place within the premises of a Government hospital functioning under an established administrative hierarchy. They argue that the inquiry should objectively determine whether there was any supervisory lapse by Dr. Mohd Shafiq, Superintendent of the hospital, whether hospital protocols were adequately enforced and whether any other officials were responsible for allowing such an incident to occur.
Public also demands strict action against the makers of the reel as they are equally responsible for misusing the government property without any permission.
The public has also demanded that the findings of the inquiry and any disciplinary action ultimately taken should be placed in the public domain to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence in Government healthcare institutions.
The controversy has gained added significance as it comes shortly after another matter at Sub District Hospital Surankote, where allegations surfaced regarding the alleged collection of an extra official “doctor’s fee” through an outside medical shop following a minor surgical procedure. That case is also under departmental inquiry after a viral social media video prompted intervention by health authorities.
Although the two incidents are unrelated, residents say both controversies have raised broader concerns about the functioning of Government health institutions in Poonch District and have reinforced the need for stronger monitoring, transparency and accountability.
Healthcare professionals point out that Government ambulances are public assets purchased with taxpayers’ money exclusively for emergency medical services and patient transportation. Any unauthorised use, particularly in a district that has recently witnessed devastating floods and continues to require robust emergency response systems, undermines public trust in healthcare services.
With the departmental inquiry now formally underway, attention will be focused on whether the investigation examines all relevant aspects of the incident and whether responsibility, if established, is fixed at every appropriate level including Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohd Shafiq.
Citizens have urged the Health Department to ensure that the inquiry is fair, transparent and comprehensive so that confidence in Government hospitals and emergency medical services is strengthened rather than diminished and everybody from Driver to Reel Makers to higher authorities of the Hospital are investigated and penalised for their respective roles.
