Srinagar, Nov 19: Following the circulation of a video on social media, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, initiated an inquiry with the preliminary report condemning a vlogger for breaching patient privacy in its emergency ward.
On Monday evening, The Umar, a local vlogger who attended a patient, uploaded a video on his Facebook account, levelling serious allegations against SKIMS authorities.
PRO SKIMS said the vlogger has attempted to shoot a video of a patient being catheterized and he was stopped by security persons.
“He argued with staff and engaged staff in altercation debarring critical patients from needy attention. Dr Vikas who catheterized the patient had actually asked him to bring the ward screen (privacy screen) that was just 10 to 12 feet away. The vlogger sat in the car and kept on talking all negative things about the SKIMS emergency,” the PRO said.
However, the SKIMS authorities took note of the matter and ordered an urgent inquiry on the directions of its Director. “The committee thoroughly examined the issue and a detailed report has been submitted to Director SKIMS,” the PRO said.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS said as per preliminary report, the issue looks motivated and may be the vlogger sensationalized it for his popularity and financial benefit. “The background in the short video clip is actually displaying clean and organized casualty.”
The report mentions that instead of appreciating efforts of staff present on duty, such elements are on one hand defaming a world class institution and on the other hand they produce obstacles in functioning of emergency services where every minute counts.
Director SKIMS lauded the staff for working tirelessly 24/7 in the emergency area and appealed people to behave responsibly not to impinge patient privacy and run malicious campaigns against an institution which is more than a religious place.
“Instead of assisting the treating doctors and staff, the attendant (vlogger) opted to shoot the video. The emergency, in particular, medical emergency reception, is an overburdened area receiving critical patients needing urgent attention,” the PRO said.
The PRO stated that on an average, sixty to ninety patients are housed in the Medical Emergency, who are managed on a war footing basis.
“This place is strongly not for blogging and creating sensations when a near one of someone is on the death bed. The YouTuber has also violated the privacy policy of other patients too. The hospital, particularly the emergency staff, diligently addresses various emergencies, whether direct or referred. While most patients express satisfaction and cooperate with staff, sometimes an issue may arise, owing to flooding of patients and attendants,” the PRO said.
“As any sane person can see the vlogger is clearly trying to defame SKIMS for personal gains and sensationalize the normal catheterization procedure which is condemnable,” said, Faculty Incharge Emergency.
