Srinagar, Jan 21: A doctor at SKIMS Soura has suffered an electric shock on Friday while performing on a cardiac patient in the operation theatre at cardiac surgery department.
When the cardiologist he started the procedure, he got an electric shock after which he collapsed on the ground, an official at the institute informed Rising Kashmir.
The doctor had a narrow escape and was later admitted in the hospital for treatment. He has suffered injuries on his hand and fingers. “If he would have been elderly he would not have survived,” the official said.
The machines do not have proper electrical fitting facility and the machines are also outdated and these have not been repaired at the institute, he said.
“There is no monitoring of the theatre. The cardiac theatre was started in 1980 and machines have not been repaired since then. It has not been upgraded,” he said.
The incident has raised questions on SKIMS administration over the safety of doctors and patients. The official also said SKIMS has not conducted any audit of functioning of theatres which is also putting the patients at risk and such incident may happen.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan said the incident should not have happened.
“If we take precautions such incidents could be avoided. We are investigating the matter and we are also conducting inspections,” he said.
The MS also said that infusion pumps that were installed in 2014 are old and they have sent a requisition to procure the same.
Deputy Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr GH Yatoo said the doctor has suffered electric current and they have conducted an inspection of the theatres along with the electrical engineers.
“We will see all the theatres whether there is any difficulty or not. Such incidents happen. We make ensure that doctors, as well as patients, are safe,” he said.
