'Utterly irresponsible': Doctors at SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital demand action against Cabinet Minister
Jammu: The doctors and staff at SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra have approached the Chief Minister for intervention following recent remarks by Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma, who compared the facility's staff to "butchers" motivated by business interests.
In their urgent plea, the hospital staff strongly condemned the comments made by the minister last week.
According to Daily Excelsior, in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the hospital staff characterized the minister's comments as “utterly irresponsible” and lacking any factual basis. Such comments, the doctors claimed, simply sensationalize controversy at the expense of the hospital’s long commitment to quality healthcare.
This came after an online video surfaced where the minister allegedly was seen saying, " Are not you ashamed to call yourselves doctors considering that it is the noblest profession? People who are the authorities of the Narayana group can never be at peace. My family was suffering from COVID-19 and my father went to Narayana Hospital, a place from where no one comes out alive. They are all butchers and are only concerned about their business."
SMVD Superspeciality Hospital has maintained the position of being the Top Service Provider under “PMJAY” for delivering primary medical services to millions, especially, the needy sections of the society. “Such baseless allegations have not only demoralized the doctors and healthcare workers at SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital but have also instilled fear and anxiety among our patients and their families,” reads the memorandum submitted by the doctors.
The memorandum emphasized that their commitment to ethical medical practices stands in stark contrast to the disparaging remarks made by Minister Sharma. Patients who have received treatment at the hospital have also voiced their distress over the minister's comments. Many expressed disbelief, stating that the hospital has been a beacon of hope and care in the community, reports the Daily.
The healthcare professionals are now calling on the Chief Minister to take action not only to withdraw the controversial statement but also to reaffirm the importance of supporting healthcare institutions that strive to provide exemplary service to the public. As this situation unfolds, the doctors and staff remain committed to their mission of delivering high-quality healthcare, regardless of the challenges they may face, reports the Daily.
Medical professionals in Jammu and Kashmir have petitioned the Chief Minister to take some necessary steps to revive public faith and appreciation for the unpaid work of healthcare professionals. “The trust that our community places on us is evident, as our hospital ICUs consistently operate at near full capacity, prompting our expansion into a medical college and more beds to better serve the needs of the population. Given the severity of these provocations, we formally demand that the Cabinet Minister should withdraws his statements and issue an unconditional apology to the doctors and staff of SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital,” reads the memorandum.
