Quack arrested for treating patients at Srinagar's Lal Ded Hospital

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the unauthorised entry of a man posing as a doctor and allegedly treating patients in the labour room of a Government Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar.

Mohammad Kifayat Rather, a resident of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, was arrested for allegedly impersonating a doctor and entering the Lal Ded Hospital’s labour room, police said.   

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“Sanction is hereby, accorded to the appointment of Hashmat All Yatoo (IAS), Administrator, Associated Hospitals, Government Medical College, Srinagar as inquiry officer to inquire into the matter regarding unauthorised entry and intrusion into the labour room of Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar by a fake doctor,” an order of the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department stated.

The government has directed the officer to submit the report within three days.

The accused, a resident of Saloora Ganderbal was arrested on Wednesday by the Jammu and Kashmir police after an FIR was registered under relevant sections at Rajbagh police station.

Explaining the matter in detail, the deputy superintendent of LD, Dr Maimoona informed HT, “On Tuesday, a man was found in our labour room who was recommending ECG to every patient. He would say that he was a cardiologist and has come from (another associated hospital) SMHS hospital. When we cross-checked with SMHS on-call doctor, we came to know that he was not from there."

She said, “It is very difficult to see how this fake doctor made his entry to the labour room of the hospital amid heavy rush of patients and attendants”.

“We called the security person of Jammu and Kashmir Police who were on duty and they took him to the control room where doctors remain who always questioned”, she said and added, “The person was not looking mentally fit while talking to the security personnel”.

The police have reportedly summoned the individual’s family to the police station and are awaiting medical documentation to assess his mental condition.

In order to prevent such incidents from occurring at the hospital, a circular has been issued that mandates identity cards for all doctors and staff entering the hospital. The security guards have been advised not to allow any medical or hospital staff without checking their ID cards.

“The attendants will have to get a pass,” she said.