Srinagar, June 12: Even after official reports blamed administrative neglect for deaths at GB Pant Hospital, the Minister for Medical Education, RS Chib, Tuesday blamed media for ‘irrational’ reporting on the issue.
“The media’s role is important in highlighting the problems in the society. But they should not behave irrationally,” Chib said while talking to Greater Kashmir. He asked media to stop the ‘targeted’ campaign on the health institutions and let the things improve.
The Minister said that the Government did not want to pin-point any official but to bring some improvement in healthcare facilities at the hospital. “We have issued strict orders to improve hygiene of the hospital to lower the risk of infection,” the Minister said.
The preliminary report of Director SKIMS Dr Showkat Zargar and police’s confidential report indicted former Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Javid Choudhary, for the administrative failure that led to child deaths. But the Minister said the actual picture was yet to come before him.
Replying to a question whether his Ministry initiated any disciplinary action against the erring officials, Chib said the Government was waiting for the Commission’s final report. “The picture is not still clear with us and final report will make the things clear and we will be able to what action needs to be done by the ministry,” Chib said.
Greater Kashmir in its June 12 edition carried a news story about the government’s callous approach towards a report about the pathetic condition of the hospital.
“I am not aware of any such report submitted ever to the Government,” the Minister said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST