Probe into girl’s death after alleged medical negligence in Pulwama

Pulwama : Authorities in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have ordered an inquiry into the death of a female patient at a private hospital due to alleged medical negligence.
Officials said that the Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama has initiated an official inquiry to investigate the death of Saboora Arshid, daughter of Arshid Hussain Bhat, a resident of Arihal Pulwama, who was under treatment at Mohammadia Nursing Home.
“Pending the outcome of this inquiry, the Tehsildar (Executive Magistrate) of Pulwama, in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer and the SHO of Pulwama, has been directed to seal the operation theatre of Mohammadia Nursing Home immediately.
This measure is taken to ensure the preservation of evidence and records related to the case,” officials said, adding that the process will be conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures.
They added that the entire procedure will be video-graphed to ensure transparency and proper documentation.
The father of the deceased girl said that his daughter was admitted in the operation theatre on 14 September at around 2:50 PM for nose surgery.
“This minor surgery was taking much time and we were not informed about the condition of the patient for more than two and half hours,” the father said, adding that he was informed at around 5:50 PM that her daughter needs to be shifted to SMHS hospital Srinagar because of high heart rate.
He said that the patient was shifted to Srinagar without his knowledge and demanded an investigation into the circumstances which caused her death.
The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has also constituted an inquiry committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
“In order to formally investigate the death of a patient, Ms. Saboora, D/O Arshid Hussain Bhat, R/O Arihal Pulwama, at Mohammadia Nursing Home Pulwama on 14th September 2024, due to alleged medical negligence, sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of an inquiry committee,” reads an official order.
According to the order, the inquiry committee has been tasked with conducting an in-depth investigation into the death and submitting its report with specific recommendations within one week, so that appropriate action can be taken against those found responsible, in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association expressed condolences over the death of the patient.
Mir Faizan the president of the association said that though death in itself is very unfortunate and it saddens even the hardest of hearts.
“We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this unfortunate news. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this time of grief and we stand in solidarity with them,” he said, adding that None of the doctors, anaesthetists or hospital administration would like a casualty to occur in his/her hospital but even in the best of institutions it can happen but at the same time administration can’t take a knee jerk reaction by sealing the theatre.
Dr.Masood Hassan, General secretary of the association said that they have seen in the past that these unfortunate incidents have also occurred in Government institutions but those were never sealed.
“Private setup is in its infancy in J&K UT and they are showing tremendous growth in the past few years. In a place like ours where the unemployment rate is second highest in the country we are generating thousands of employments in addition to providing excellent services but this type of approach by the administration in sealing a hospital discourages and saddens the private sector,” he said urging the administration to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident and take corrective measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“We are all part of the public and let us work together to improve patient care and safety while ensuring that our healthcare institutions continue to serve our community with compassion and excellence,” he said.