Srinagar, July 24: In the wake of growing pressure on Kashmir’s high-volume public hospitals, the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has renewed its call for enhanced regulation and public cooperation following an assault on a resident doctor inside the SMHS Hospital emergency ward.
Administrator Muhammad Ashraf Hakak, while addressing the media, described the incident as “unfortunate but revealing,” stressing that hospital systems cannot function smoothly when attendants interfere with medical procedures. “One patient often brings three or four attendants, most of whom have no role but end up crowding and complicating the treatment process,” he said.
Hakak emphasized that over 27 lakh patients are handled annually by GMC-associated hospitals, with thousands of surgeries conducted and limited space available. “We are not under-staffed, but better entry regulation and a more secure working environment are essential,” he noted.
The incident in question occurred during the late hours of July 22 when a critically ill patient was brought to SMHS Hospital. As doctors attended to the emergency, one of the attendants physically assaulted a junior doctor from behind—a moment captured on CCTV and widely circulated on social media. Though the assailant later apologized in a separate video, the hospital administration lodged an FIR.
Despite the chaos, officials confirmed that services remained unaffected. “Not a single section shut down. Emergency care never stopped. The medical team responded with professionalism and restraint,” Hakak said.
He dismissed reports of press mishandling, clarifying that the administration values media as a vital public link and had no record of any obstruction. Likewise, confusion regarding the gate closure was attributed to the routine OPD timing, not to any administrative decision to block access.
GMC Srinagar reaffirmed that structured systems remain in place, with full rosters, night shifts, and department heads staying on-site throughout the night. However, the administration called for immediate public awareness and cooperation to prevent future incidents.
“This isn’t just about one attack. It’s a pattern that needs to stop. Doctors must be allowed to treat patients without fear or interference,” Hakak concluded. [KNT]
