By KNB on 07/04/2020.

Govt probing breach of protocol, mishandling of COVID-19 patient at hospital

Srinagar 07 April: As the world grapples with coronavirus, people in most countries are turning to their governments and public health care systems to battle the pandemic. In Shere-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Medical College, Bemina, however, the situation is different.

With overall health care system in a shambles, many people are looking with suspicion at the Jammu and Kashmir’s efforts to battle the Covid-19 disease, creating complications for health authorities to grapple with.

“I have no faith in the healthcare of this institute,” said a patient, at SKIMS Medical College. “I was here with my wife. She had some complications. I respect doctors, whatever services they are doing right now across all the hospitals. However things are completely opposite in JVC (SKIMS Medical College),” he said, adding “the whole healthcare system has collapsed.”

One of the security official of the hospital said that the hospital premises have turned into a junkyard and there was no difference between a hospital and construction site anymore.

 “When you enter the hospital, you will find construction material everywhere and people think they have entered into some construction site,” he said. “People need quality healthcare not the buildings anymore. We have enough space and enough doctors however due to the wrong policies and ill administration, things aren’t moving properly and people are suffering tremendously,” he alleged.

‘Pathetic Response to Pandemic’

Despite being a Covid-19 facility, the SKIMS Medical College Bemina has been able to admit only one positive case till date, while as CD hospital, JLNM or any other COVID designated hospital have catered heavy patient influx.

SKIMS Medical College is well equipped with the testing facility but no Covid19 tests were performed there till date. The hospital has further bought a bad name to medical profession.

 “The question arises that if the JVC administration wasn’t up for this challenge. Then why was it assigned the COVID-19 facility at first place,” a paramedic, wishing anonymity, told local newsgathering agency Kashmir News Bureau (KNB) said. “This has exposed the capability of Hospital administration in handling the patient care.”

The paramedic Kashmir News Bureau that proper safety gears aren’t provided to the medical staff and as such they can’t risk their life by attending the patients.

Scenes at SKIMS Med College

A protest demonstration was held by the medical staff comprising of doctors and other paramedical staff few days ago regarding the same issue, but seems like the principal & the medical superintendent have turned a deaf ear towards the complaints. They said that at a time when Kashmir valley fears a huge health crisis due to Covid19, the administration of JVC hospital doesn’t seem to have felt the gravity of the situation.

 “This has put a huge question mark on the healthcare services of SKIMS Medical College especially in these times when people have nothing but hope on the healthcare system of our state,” said a group of aggrieved doctors. “A proper investigation should be carried out in this regard by the concerned department so that people doesn’t lose hope in our healthcare system.”

Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Dr Riyaz Ahmad Antoo, and Medical SKIMS Medical Hospital, Dr Shifa Dewa didn’t respond to the calls from Kashmir News Bureau

Official Probe Ordered

Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole had earlier ordered an inquiry into the alleged “mishandling” of the COVID-19 patient from Hyderpora—who was tested positive two days back and died on Thursday morning at CD hospital Srinagar.

The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has asked Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, Tasaduq Hussain Mir to enquire into the matter.

An order issued by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir revealed that the patient was mishandled by the authorities at CD hospital and SKIMS Bemina.

“Principal SKIMS Medical College-Hospital Bemina vide his communication No. SKIMS-MC-PS/2020/39g dated: 25-03-2020 has submitted a report indicating therein that a 65-year-old patient, resident of Hyderpora Srinagar who reported to Casualty of SKIMS Medical College Hospital Bemina on 21-0302020 at 08. 30 AM alongwith his travel history was found to be a COVID-19 suspect, ” read the order, according to the report.

The report further revealed that the patient who was later tested positive for COVID-19 has not been handled as per the protocol required for treating such patients.

Despite knowing the travel history of the patient and observing the symptoms of the patient, the Hospital Administration has not brought it into the notice of Divisional/District/Police authorities when he left the hospital without getting admitted, added the report.

As per the order, the patient has been given ample time to spread the virus by intermingling with the public and relatives. “The negligence at the hands of Hospital Administration has resulted in a lot of confusion and vulnerability amongst masses.”

 “In view of the above, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Bemina and Head of the Department, Chest Medicine SKIMS Bemina are hereby called to explain their position forthwith, “the order states.

Tassaduq Hussain Mir, Additional Commissioner Kashmir shall enquire into the matter for exemplary action against these officers under rules, added the order.

The Divisional Commissioner has sought the enquiry report within two days. He has also directed the hospital administration to assist the enquiry officer in the culmination of the enquiry.

Meanwhile, Tassaduq Hussain Mir, Additional Commissioner said that the inquiry is not linked to death. “I have ordered for a probe to find out whether the case was mishandled and protocol was followed or not,” he said.