Violence at GMC Jammu: 2 Female PG Medicos assaulted, kicked after patient's death, Junior doctors go on strike

The incident occurred on July 16, around 11:30 AM in the emergency ward after the patient passed away during treatment. According to the hospital authorities, the patient was referred to the GMC from PGI with a severe brain haemorrhage and a poor prognosis. He was admitted to GMC Jammu on June 11 and had undergone a tracheostomy. Despite the doctors' best efforts, the patient unfortunately passed away on the fifth day due to respiratory arrest following the surgery. 

Following his death, the patient’s family accused the doctors of negligence, claiming that the patient was in stable condition at the time of admission and that his case was mishandled. This led to a heated altercation that escalated when the family members allegedly assaulted two female PG medics.

CCTV footage from the emergency ward, now viral on social media, shows the patient’s relatives creating a ruckus inside the hospital. Initially, a man from the group is seen arguing with a woman. Moments later, a female attendant enters the room, corners the first-year PG medico, verbally abuses her, and then kicks her in the abdomen.

In response, the GMC administration issued a press release strongly condemning the act of violence and confirmed that a police complaint (FIR) has been lodged against the attackers.

Speaking to TOI, about the incident, GMC Principal Dr. Ashutosh Gupta said, “The patient had previously been admitted at PGI Chandigarh and was discharged due to a poor prognosis, with doctors advising that treatment be continued closer to home. He was admitted to GMC Jammu on June 11 and had undergone a tracheostomy. He remained stable for a few days, but on Wednesday, he aspirated and eventually succumbed during a procedure.”

Rejecting allegations of medical negligence, he added, “This is not true. PGI had already declared him a poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SHS) case and clearly stated that his prognosis was poor. You cannot blame doctors for everything. Some patients, despite all efforts, do not survive due to the severity of their condition. He was critically ill, and the poor prognosis was communicated by PGI, not us.”

Dr. Gupta further clarified, “When the patient began aspirating, doctors immediately initiated an emergency procedure, during which he passed away. It was a critical moment where we had only seconds to act, and there was no time for a formal consultation. This was not an elective procedure.”

In protest against the brutal assault on the doctors, junior residents stationed in the emergency wing of GMC Jammu went on strike. They urged the government to take strict action against the accused and demanded immediate protection for healthcare workers across Jammu and Kashmir. The protesting doctors refused to resume duty until the attackers are arrested.

Similarly, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA), GMC Jammu, declared a complete shutdown of all emergency services and Outpatient Department (OPD) services with immediate effect. The doctors under the association stated that the services will remain suspended until our demands are fully met. 

Calling it a serious act of violence and disrespect towards medical professionals, the RDA expressed disappointment that no strict action had been taken, despite high-level meetings with the Health Secretary, ADC, SSP, and the Principal of the GMC. Their core demand includes the immediate arrest of the accused.

"This is not a protest — it is a necessary stand to protect our fraternity, demand accountability, and ensure a safe working environment for all doctors," the association stated in a press release. 

To avoid a complete disruption of emergency services, the college administration issued urgent instructions to all Heads of Departments (HoDs), directing them to ensure the deployment of faculty members and consultants in the Emergency Ward.

“All Clinical and Para-clinical HoDs have been instructed to deploy senior staff in the Emergency Ward to maintain patient care until junior doctors return to duty,” stated an official order issued by Dr. Ashutosh Gupta.

In this regard, several medical associations extended their support to the protesting doctors and condemned the assault. They stressed that doctors are human beings too, and such inhumane acts should not be tolerated.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jammu chapter, strongly condemned the attack, calling it “Unacceptable and detrimental to the delivery of critical medical services.” In its statement, the IMA urged authorities to take swift and decisive action against those responsible and to implement stricter safety measures for healthcare workers.

Dr. Balvinder Singh, President of the Doctors Association Jammu (DAJ), told TOI that "Continued violence against medical professionals could severely damage the healthcare system. If adequate security is not provided, the system is bound to collapse. The government must take this matter seriously,” he warned. He stressed that for the healthcare system to function properly, doctors—whether in urban or rural areas—must feel secure.

Similarly, the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students’ Association, in a post on X, strongly condemned the incident. “We strongly condemn this incident at GMC Jammu, where a doctor was assaulted. Doctors are humans too. Any grievance must be addressed through proper channels, not violence. We urge the government to ensure strict action and provide immediate protection to healthcare workers across J&K,” the post said.