Woman Dies at GMC Anantnag, Family Alleges Medical Negligence

Mansoor Peer
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25 Apr 2026

Govt constitutes committee to probe the case Four arrested for vandalising hospital property: Police

Srinagar, Apr 25: A 55-year-old woman from Srigufwara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district died at the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag on Friday evening, with her family alleging medical negligence and protests breaking out within the hospital premises.

The family said that when the patient was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition, she was not attended by a cardiologist in the emergency ward despite repeated requests.

“We were told that a cardiologist would examine her at GMC Anantnag. But no such consultation was provided in time,” a family member told reporters. “Had she been attended to promptly, her life could have been saved,” they alleged.

The patient was brought to hospital at around 5:30 p.m. She had a history of hypertension and underlying cardiac disease and was received at the emergency reception in a critical condition.

The hospital administration of GMC Anantnag said in a statement on Saturday that the elderly female was received in a critical condition, with pulse and SpO₂ unrecordable.

“She was shifted to the emergency department under supervision of a resident doctor. Oxygen support was initiated and emergency medications were administered upon suspicion of cardiac arrest,” it said.

It said that the patient exhibited intermittent gasping, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was promptly commenced. Despite efforts, she could not be revived.

The GMC stated that in the meantime, the patient’s attendants approached Dr. Shameem Iqbal, Cardiologist, who was attending patients in OPD, requesting urgent consultation in the casualty.

Following the death, the attendants turned aggressive and physically assaulted on-duty security personnel and also manhandled Dr. Shameem Iqbal. The situation rapidly escalated into a serious law and order disturbance within the hospital premises.

“The attendants engaged in acts of vandalism, resulting in damage to hospital property and creating an unsafe environment for patients, attendants, and healthcare staff. We immediately alerted local police besides activated internal emergency response and security protocols,” the statement said.

The hospital said that as per their observations the casualty team adhered to standard emergency management protocols and the incident was triggered by attendant aggression.

The hospital was initiated formal reporting of the incident to law enforcement authorities, assessment of damage to hospital property, reinforcement of hospital security measures and initiated internal inquiry into the incident

The hospital has condemned violence against healthcare workers and hospital property. “Such actions compromise patient care and safety. Necessary steps are being taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to ensure a safe working environment,” it stated.

Meanwhile, police said they have arrested four persons who were involved in vandalizing the hospital property.

“We have registered a case and we have arrested four people who have vandalised the property. We are ascertaining the further facts as it is under investigation," said a police official.

The Government has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The panel is headed by the Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), and includes the Director Health Services Kashmir and the Medical Superintendent, Children Hospital Bemina, Srinagar as members.

Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has condemned the assault on a junior doctor at the medical college during the evening hours on April 24.