Botched surgery at Sopore Hospital: 6-member panel to probe allegations

Srinagar: Through a recent circular, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department ordered the constitution of an inquiry committee to investigate the case of alleged medical negligence at Hakeem Sonaullah Hospital in Sopore, where doctors reportedly removed the uterus of a woman instead of performing an ENT surgery. 

An order issued by the Director of Health Services Kashmir, Dr Jahangir Bakshi on February 19, announced that the committee will be headed by Epidemiologist Dr Anjum Afshan and will include five other members. The committee has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations within five days in a confidential report.

Also read- Hysterectomy Instead of ENT Surgery! 2 doctors Suspended, banned from private practice

“Sanction is, hereby, accorded to the constitution of an Inquiry Committee, which will be headed by Dr. Anjum Afshan, Epidemiologist Kashmir, and comprises five other members to enquire into the case of surgical negligence in Hakeem Sonaullah Hospital, Sopore, where doctors allegedly removed the uterus of a woman “instead of performing the scheduled ENT surgery,” reads the order, as reported by ETV Bharat. 

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported how a Kashmir-based doctor had been accused of allegedly removing a woman's uterus instead of performing an ENT surgery at Hakeem Sonuallah Hospital in Sopore. Soon, the news of the botched surgery went viral on social media and resulted in widespread public outrage with activists and residents demanding a lifetime ban on the doctor's private practice.

Consequently, the Health Department took cognizance of the issue. It started investigating the matter and a team of officials also raided the concerned hospital to investigate the allegations made against the doctor. Two days later, the Government suspended two doctors in this connection and banned them from engaging in any form of private practice across Jammu & Kashmir until further orders. It also stated in the order that the operation theatre of Hakeem Sonuallah Hospital would remain sealed until the completion of the investigation.

Almost 2 weeks later, the Jammu and Kashmir government formed a six-member internal committee to probe the incident so that action could be taken against the responsible person. 

“The Inquiry Committee thus constituted shall submit its report with specific recommendations within 05 days positively from the issuance of this order in confidential cover, enabling to take further appropriate action against the delinquent doctors/paramedics in case found involved as per the law,” added the order. 

Also read- Medical Negligence? Doctor accused of performing Hysterectomy Instead of ENT Surgery