Srinagar: In response to serious allegations of illegal activities and substandard patient care, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has appointed Dr Shafqat Khan, Additional Mission Director of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, as an Inquiry Officer (IO).
The action has been taken after Dr Abdul Majid Bhatt filed a complaint against certain doctors and officials at the District Hospital in Ganderbal.
An official order issued by Secretary, H&ME, Bhupinder Kumar, "Sanction is, hereby, accorded to the appointment of Dr Shafqat Khan, Additional Mission Director, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, J&K as IO to inquire into the complaint filed by Dr Abdul Majid Bhatt, against few doctors and other officials of District Hospital, Ganderbal for their involvement in illegal activities.”
As per the reports, some doctors and officials at the District Hospital have engaged in illicit activities, including accepting bribes and delivering subpar medical care to patients.
Dr Shafqat Khan, Additional Mission Director of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission told Greater Kashmir that there have been some complaints of indiscipline and lack of professionalism on part of the hospital staff. “We will look into all the aspects of those complaints and ensure that smooth health services are delivered to the people,” he said.
He has been asked to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit a report along with recommendations within 10 days from the date of the order.
On July 11, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) took action against Dr Abdul Majid Bhat, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, following allegations of harassment made by medical and paramedical staff.
In response to mounting pressure, Dr Bhat was attached to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir, with Dr Nighat Yasmeen Sheikh, the current Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Ganderbal, temporarily assuming the additional responsibility of the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Ganderbal.
The decision to attach Dr Bhat came after doctors and paramedical staff organised a protest within the hospital premises, voicing their discontent and demanding the removal of the Medical Superintendent due to alleged deplorable behaviour.
