GMC Jammu Medical Superintendent removed over circular on Pahalgam attack
Jammu: A day after issuing a circular directing hospital staff to stay vigilant amid rising tensions along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir, the medical superintendent of Jammu’s Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) was repatriated on Saturday to the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu. The controversial circular, which spaked significant debate, was later withdrawn by the principal of the college, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta.
Dr. Varinder Trisal, the medical superintendent of Ramban district hospital, will be in charge of the Government Medical College & Hospital instead of Dr. Narinder Bhutyal. Civil Secretariat, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Health & Medical Education Department issued an order stating, “Dr. Narinder Bhutyal, I/C Medical Superintendent, Government Medical College, Jammu, is repatriated forthwith and attached in the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu for further duties.” Furthermore, Dr. Varinder Trisal, I/C Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Ramban, is deputed to Government Medical College, Jammu on standard terms and conditions of deputation. He shall also look after the charge of Medical Superintendent, Government Medical College, Hospital Jammu. Meanwhile, Dr. Sudershan Singh Katoch, currently a medical officer at the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, will temporarily take charge of the Ramban district hospital.
This came days after Dr. Narinder Bhutyal issued an order titled “Readiness Measures in view of Cross-Border Tension in UT of J&K.” Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Jammu officially withdrew a circular it issued on April 25, 2025, which had instructed hospital staff to remain on high alert due to reported cross-border tensions in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack.
The circular reads, “In view of the prevailing cross-border tension in the UT of J&K, all Staff members are hereby directed to remain alert and ensure complete preparedness to meet any exigencies that may arise at any time. The Store Officer and Store Keepers, GMCH, are requested to keep all essential supplies, emergency medicines, and critical equipment in a state of readiness for immediate use to meet any exigency.”
Other than that, all hospital staff were advised to restrict unnecessary holidays and directed to ensure their presence within the hospital premises during duty hours to maintain uninterrupted and effective patient care. A 24x7 Control Room was established to coordinate all emergency responses. The control room would function round the clock and may be contacted for any urgent requirements or issues. Shockingly, the transfer order was withdrawn just after one day.
