Amid mounting allegations of medical negligence at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo on Saturday termed the controversy a “deliberate attempt” to defame the government, while strongly condemning incidents of violence against healthcare workers.
Speaking to reporters in Baramulla, Itoo said the government has significantly upgraded healthcare infrastructure across the region, particularly at GMC Anantnag, and claimed that such progress has “unnerved certain elements.”
Speaking to reporters in Baramulla, Itoo said grievances against healthcare workers should be addressed through proper channels. “If there is any grievance against doctors, you can complain, but you cannot attack them. Doctors are also human beings, and they work hard,” she said as per the news agency Kashmir News Network.
Her remarks came after the death of a 55-year-old woman from Srigufwara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Friday evening as the deceased’s family alleged negligence by a cardiologist.
The incident led to protests inside the hospital, with attendants and locals alleging delays in treatment. The situation escalated into violence, with damage to hospital property and injuries reported among on-duty medical staff.
Itoo issued a stern warning against those involved in assaulting medical professionals, stating that such acts will not be tolerated. “Thrashing doctors and paramedics is unacceptable. Police must check it out and investigate whether this was a deliberate act. Strict action will follow,” she asserted.
Itoo said the government has made unprecedented progress in the past 18 months. “The scale of work done in the health department recently has never been seen before. GMC Baramulla, for instance, has already been sanctioned MRI and cath lab facilities, which will be operational soon,” she said.
The Health Minister further alleged that such improvements have triggered a backlash from vested interests. “Some people cannot tolerate these advancements and are resorting to such tactics to defame the government. Anyone found doing so deliberately will face the consequences,” she warned.
Police have registered an FIR and arrested four persons in consequence, while further investigation is underway to determine the sequence of events.
