Staff, Students Barred From Sharing Confidential Data
Mansoor Peer
Srinagar, May 21: Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara has issued detailed guidelines regulating the use of social media by employees, outsourced staff, and students associated with the institution and its hospitals.
In an official circular, the college administration observed that various social media and digital networking platforms were occasionally being used in a manner that violates institutional discipline, professional ethics, and existing government directives.
“To maintain the decorum of the institution, all faculty members, administrative staff, outsourced personnel, and students of GMC Handwara and its Associated Hospitals are hereby directed to strictly adhere to the prescribed regulatory instructions,” the circular stated.
According to the order, no employee or student shall publish, upload, circulate, or share confidential data, official documents, patient-related records, or any institution-specific information on social media platforms without prior authorization from the competent authority.
The circular further stated that personnel and students are strictly prohibited from airing grievances or commenting on government policies, administrative decisions, institutional operations, senior officials, colleagues, or workplace matters on public or social media platforms.
It also warned against the dissemination of vulgar, defamatory, threatening, communal, political, misleading, or otherwise objectionable content that could harm the reputation and functioning of GMC Handwara and its Associated Hospitals.
The administration clarified that grievances related to workplace issues, academics, patient care, administration, or service matters must be addressed only through established institutional channels and not through social media platforms.
The order also imposed restrictions on photography and videography within college and hospital premises, particularly inside Operation Theatres (OTs), patient wards, emergency departments, and academic sections, unless officially authorized.
“All individuals associated with the institution must maintain exemplary conduct while using social media in their personal capacity and refrain from any online behaviour unbecoming of a public servant or professional,” the circular added.
It further stated that administrators and moderators of official or unofficial digital groups linked with GMC Handwara and its Associated Hospitals would be held accountable for preventing the circulation of inappropriate, misleading, or unauthorized content.
The circular directed all Heads of Departments, Section Heads, Medical Superintendents, and Hospital In-charges to ensure strict implementation and wide dissemination of the guidelines. It warned that any violation would invite disciplinary action under the rules in force.
With this move, GMC Handwara has become the second medical college in Jammu and Kashmir, after GMC Anantnag, to issue such guidelines governing employees’ use of social media.