Srinagar: You may have heard of medical negligence before, but what happened in Kashmir recently is nothing short of mind-blowing.
A woman, who had gone to a private hospital for an ear surgery, was instead subjected to hysterectomy (removal of uterus).
As the news went viral on social media, there was public outcry.
On Thursday, the Health and Medical Education department of Jammu and Kashmir government took action against two doctors and the concerned hospital.
Gynaecologist Dr Anjum Nazir and medical officer Tariq Ahmad Dar were suspended and barred from private practice, while the operation theatre of the private hospital in Sopore town of J & K’s Baramulla district was sealed after grave allegations of medical negligence.
“Have initiated action against the doctors involved in the recent incident at a private hospital in Sopore,” Health and Medical Education minister Sakina Itoo said on X.
Health Secretary Syed Abid Rasheed Shah said that the doctors were suspended to ensure a fair probe.
“Pending inquiry into the incident that occurred on February 3, 2025, at Hakeem Sonaullah Hospital, Sopore and to ensure a fair and impartial investigation while maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system, the following doctors are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain attached with directorate of health services, Jammu till further orders: 1) Dr Anjum Nazir, consultant gynaecologist, SDH Sopore, 2) Dr Tariq Ahmad Dar, medical officer, (diploma in anesthesia), DH Bandipora,” Rasheed said.
“Furthermore, it is hereby ordered that the aforementioned doctors are prohibited or banned from engaging in any form of private practice within entire J& K,” he added.
The operation theatre of the hospital “shall remain sealed till the conclusion of the inquiry.”
Sopore block medical officer Dr Zulfikar Nabi said that an urgent inquiry is underway.
“A three-member team is investigating the incident. Till the report is made public nothing can be said about the incident,” he said.