Poonch Health Department Under Scanner as Inquiry Into Alleged Misuse of Government Ambulance Shows No Visible Outcome; Public Demands Transparency
Chief Medical Officer Poonch sought a factual report within one day on the viral Government ambulance reel controversy, but no outcome has been made public even after three days.
Medical Superintendent had earlier promised strict action and issued a show cause notice to the ambulance driver, yet the status of disciplinary proceedings remains unclear.
Public and civil society demand that the complete inquiry report and action taken be placed in the public domain to restore confidence in Government healthcare institutions.
JJ Correspondent
Poonch, July 30, 2026: The controversy surrounding the alleged misuse of a Government ambulance for filming a social media reel at Raja Sukhdev Singh District Hospital, Poonch, has taken a fresh turn, with questions now being raised over the pace and transparency of the departmental inquiry after the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Poonch, sought a factual report within one day but no official outcome has yet been placed before the public.
An official communication issued by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan on July 27 directed the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Poonch, to submit a detailed factual report within one day regarding the allegations published in Jammu Jottings English newspaper about the alleged misuse of a Government ambulance.
The official order noted that a news report published on July 26 had highlighted the alleged misuse of an ambulance belonging to Raja Sukhdev Singh District Hospital, Poonch, and directed the Medical Superintendent to furnish a factual report without delay. Copies of the communication were also forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, and the Director Health Services, Jammu, for information.
However, despite the expiry of the deadline, the findings of the inquiry have not been made public, prompting fresh questions from residents and civil society members about the present status of the case.
The controversy first surfaced after a social media reel was allegedly filmed inside Government Ambulance No. JK12-7988, leading to widespread criticism over the alleged misuse of an emergency vehicle meant exclusively for patient care. Following the publication of the report, Medical Superintendent Dr. Mohd. Shafiq had told Jammu Jottings that no permission had been granted for such filming and described the incident as unacceptable.
The Medical Superintendent subsequently issued a show cause notice to the in charge ambulance driver, directing him to explain within two days how the ambulance was allegedly used for making a private social media reel without authorisation. The notice warned that disciplinary action could follow if the explanation was found unsatisfactory.
Now, with the matter having reached the office of the Chief Medical Officer, attention has shifted to the progress of the departmental inquiry.
When contacted by Jammu Jottings, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan confirmed that he had directed the Medical Superintendent to submit a factual report. He also stated that the person who had allegedly recorded the viral reel had visited his office and expressed regret over the incident.
The development, however, has generated a broader public debate on accountability. Several residents questioned whether an apology alone, if made, could be treated as the conclusion of a matter involving the alleged misuse of Government property. They argued that Government ambulances are public assets purchased for emergency healthcare and that any alleged unauthorised use should be examined through the prescribed disciplinary process.
Citizens are also asking what action, if any, has been taken on the show cause notice issued to the ambulance driver and whether the inquiry has established if there were any administrative lapses that allowed the alleged misuse of the vehicle.
The issue has gained added significance because it comes at a time when Government healthcare institutions in Poonch have already faced public scrutiny over other matters, including the recently reported allegations relating to billing practices at Sub District Hospital Surankote, which are also under departmental inquiry.
While no findings have yet been released in either case, residents say the controversies underline the importance of transparency and timely action in matters concerning public healthcare.
Public representatives and members of civil society have urged the Health Department to place the final inquiry report and the action taken, if any, in the public domain so that confidence in Government institutions is strengthened and speculation is avoided.
Health officials have not publicly disclosed the outcome of the inquiry so far. With the one day reporting deadline having already passed, public attention is now focused on whether the departmental proceedings will culminate in a transparent conclusion and whether responsibility, if established by the inquiry, will be fixed in accordance with the rules.
