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Anantnag, Dec 8 : Protests were held on Monday at the Maternity and Child Care Hospital Anantnag following the death of a 24-year-old woman after delivery, with her family and locals alleging medical negligence. The Jammu and Kashmir government later ordered a formal inquiry into the incident.
The deceased, Khushboo Jan, wife of Zubair Ahmed Bhat of Pushwara Khanabal, had been admitted to the hospital on Saturday for delivery. According to the family, she underwent a surgical delivery the same day and was shifted to the ward thereafter. Her husband alleged that within hours she complained of dizziness and her condition worsened.
Zubair Ahmed said doctors were informed and treatment was initiated, but her health continued to deteriorate. He alleged she was taken back to the operation theatre and the family was informed that her uterus had to be removed. After a second surgery, she was referred to GMC Anantnag, where she remained on ventilator support and died late Monday night.
The incident triggered protests at the hospital premises, with family members and locals alleging gross negligence and expressing lack of faith in internal hospital inquiries. Protesters demanded intervention by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Health Minister Sakina Itoo, seeking an impartial and transparent investigation.
Following the protests, the Health and Medical Education Department issued Government Order No. 750-JK (HME) of 2025, ordering a detailed inquiry into the incident. Professor Dr Iffat Hassan Shah, Principal, Government Medical College Srinagar, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer to examine the full sequence of events surrounding the death.
The order directs that the Medical Superintendent of MCCH Anantnag will assist the inquiry. The Inquiry Officer has been asked to submit a detailed report along with recommendations within 14 days from the date of issuance of the order.
Earlier, Medical Superintendent of MCCH Anantnag, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed, said that a committee had been constituted and that responsibility would be fixed after completion of the inquiry.
Officials said the government-ordered probe aims to establish facts and determine accountability, if any, in the case. [KNT]
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