Srinagar, July 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department on Saturday appointed an inquiry officer to probe the recent chaos that unfolded on July 23 including the closure of operation theatre at SMHS hospital of Government Medical College, Srinagar.“Sanction is hereby accorded to appointment of Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary, Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K as inquiry officer to inquire into recent incident at GMC Srinagar,” said an order issued by the Health Department.The inquiry officer has been tasked to conduct an objective and comprehensive examination of the facts and circumstances pertaining to the law-and-order situation that occurred on July 23, 2025 at the SMHS hospital.The government will assess the immediate precursors to the said incident, as well as the developments that ensued after the incident at the multi-speciality hospital.The officer will investigate the reasons for closure of Operating Theatres (OTs), assess whether such closure was avoidable, and fix responsibility upon the individual(s) found to have acted in dereliction of duty or in contravention of established protocols;Chaudhary has been asked to recommend concrete measures aimed at enhancing internal grievance redressal mechanisms, strengthening administrative coordination, and improving the overall functioning of the institution; andThe officer will propose remedial and preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. The inquiry officer has been tasked to submit a report to the Government within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of issuance of this order.As per the order, Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Administrator, Associated Hospitals, GMC Srinagar, shall be the Presenting Officer in the case.The Health Department has also issued fresh directions making it mandatory for all doctors and paramedical staff to wear proper white aprons and clearly legible name plates during duty hours in government healthcare institutions across the Union Territory.The directive, issued through a circular by the Civil Secretariat, cites non-compliance with existing norms regarding uniforms and identification by staff in various institutions.The department observed that the lack of adherence was causing inconvenience to patients in identifying healthcare professionals.“All doctors, including those engaged under NHM and Ayush, as well as paramedical staff, are hereby directed to wear proper white aprons and display name plates showing their full name and designation at all times while on duty,” the circular reads.Heads of institutions, medical superintendents, and chief medical officers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with these directions in their respective facilities.The move aims to improve accountability, professionalism, and patient satisfaction in government healthcare services.
