Srinagar, Dec 10: A family from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday accused doctors at the associated hospital of GMC Handwara of negligence, leading to the death of a 37-year-old man.
Authorities have ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter.
According to the family, Abdul Hameed Sofi, a resident of Arampora, Kupwara, and a father of three, was admitted to GMC Handwara early Tuesday morning after complaining of arm pain and chest discomfort. Hospital staff initially described his condition as stable following an ECG test. However, he later collapsed and passed away, prompting the family to allege mishandling of his case.
Family members claimed that the hospital lacked qualified doctors during critical moments, with one staff member allegedly dismissing Sofi’s condition as “drama.” They also accused the hospital of withholding crucial ECG reports. A relative stated, “If the hospital lacked sufficient staff, they should have referred him elsewhere. This tragedy could have been avoided.”
Responding to the allegations, Medical Superintendent GMC Handwara Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Bhat stated that Sofi was attended by a doctor on duty, and preliminary tests, including ECG and TropT, did not indicate any major issues. Despite prompt resuscitation efforts, the patient could not be revived.
Dr. Bhat further clarified that the allegations made by the family were cross-checked with CCTV footage, which showed that the patient was attended by medical staff as required. He added that, despite this, the hospital has initiated its own inquiry to uncover any additional facts related to the case.
Following the incident, the district administration swiftly acted by constituting an inquiry committee led by Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Kupwara. The committee, which includes senior doctors from nearby healthcare facilities, has been tasked with investigating the circumstances of Sofi’s death and submitting a report within seven days.
This incident has reignited debates about healthcare delivery in the border district. While hospital authorities maintain there was no negligence, the inquiry’s findings will be crucial in determining accountability.
