Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Allegations of inadequate senior doctor presence during night shifts at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag have caused concern among locals after a patient’s family claimed that the absence of timely specialist intervention delayed critical care for a woman suffering from acute abdominal pain. The college principal has said the matter will be formally investigated.
Sameer Mushtaq, a resident of Aishmuqam in Anantnag, alleged that his mother was taken to GMC Anantnag three days ago with severe abdominal pain, but that only junior doctors were available during the night. “My mother continued to suffer despite treatment and was discharged during the night. However, shortly after reaching home, her abdominal pain flared up again,” he said.
He said the attending doctors had advised an ultrasound, after which a postgraduate trainee reportedly assured the family that there was nothing critical to worry about. The family nevertheless got another ultrasound done at a private clinic the following morning. According to Sameer, the doctor there advised an immediate surgical consultation and an urgent CT scan.
After consulting acquaintances, the family shifted the patient to SKIMS Soura, where she underwent emergency surgery shortly after arrival.
The episode has revived concerns among locals about the availability of senior clinical supervision during night shifts at the tertiary-care institution. Some attendants have alleged that senior consultants are rarely present on the premises at night, leaving junior residents and postgraduate trainees to handle critical cases without direct supervision. They have demanded strict enforcement of duty rosters, round-the-clock on-site availability of specialists and accountability in cases of alleged delay or mismanagement.
When contacted, GMC Anantnag Principal Dr Junaid said senior doctors remain available on call during night hours. Responding to the specific complaint, he said he would speak to the concerned Head of Department and ensure that the matter is formally investigated.
Locals have also appealed to Health Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene and to ensure implementation of her earlier assurance regarding the presence of senior doctors in hospitals during night shifts. They said patients at a tertiary-care hospital should not be left uncertain about whether a senior specialist is available when an emergency arises.
The allegations are the family’s account and have not been independently verified, and the hospital’s position is that senior doctors are reachable on call. The inquiry is expected to examine the duty roster, the sequence of examinations and the decisions taken that night.
Teaching hospitals depend on junior doctors and postgraduate trainees for round-the-clock coverage, but norms generally expect consultant-level supervision for complex cases. Whether being on call meets that expectation, or whether physical presence is required for emergencies, is likely to be a central question as the inquiry proceeds and as the health department responds to public concern.
