Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department on Thursday appointed an inquiry officer to investigate the unauthorized entry and intrusion into the Labour Room of Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar by an impostor posing as a doctor.
“Sanction is, hereby, accorded to the appointment of Hashmat Ali Yatoo, Administrator, Associated Hospitals, Government Medical College, Srinagar as Inquiry Officer to enquire into the matter regarding unauthorized entry and intrusion into Labour Room of Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar by a fake doctor,” reads an order issued by the H&ME Department.
The inquiry officer has been tasked to submit a report regarding the unauthorized entry into the Labour Room of Lal Ded within a period of three days.
Earlier, a man, posing as a doctor, was observed in the labour room of Kashmir’s largest maternity hospital, for three consecutive days while attending the female patients.
The hospital administration later started an investigation to determine how this impersonator managed to make entry into the hospital despite tight security. The man in question was apprehended by the police on Tuesday.
Medical Superintendent, LD hospital, Dr Muzaffer Sherwani said the “fake doctor” was found in the hospital after its employees raised questions about his whereabouts and presence.
As per the initial reports, the “fake doctor” could not prove his identity and was not associated with GMC or LD hospital which is why the hospital staff felt something suspicious.
Officials at LD hospital said during the initial questioning, the “fake doctor” identified himself as Dr Aabid from Ganderbal district and claimed to be a cardiologist.
After the incident, the families of the hundreds of patients raised concerns regarding the presence of the “fake doctor” within the hospital premises.
“A fake doctor made it to the labour room reveals that there was a lack of vigilance in the hospital and it would have proved fatal for patients if he had treated them since the doctor was not a gynaecologist,” said Abid Ahmad, an attendant from Budgam.
He said security and inspection measures must be reinforced to prevent any recurrence of such incidents in future, given the hospital’s constant influx of patients every day.
