Medical superintendent fined for dereliction of duty in J-K

Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Choudhary Lal Singh conducted a surprise inspection at the district hospital in Reasi and imposed fine on several doctors, including medical superintendent, for dereliction of duty.
"During the inspection of the hospital, the minister fined the medical staff, including medical superintendent for dereliction of duty," an official spokesperson said.
He said that a fine of Rs 6,000 was imposed on medical superintendent of the hospital for not making available medicines to the patients, while Rs 1,000 fine was imposed on a dentist for not attending the duty as per the time mentioned in the duty roster.

In the male ward of the hospital, Singh found that some of the patients were without pillows and bed sheets for which the staff nurse was fined Rs 500.
The surprise inspection of the hospital was conducted by the minister at 9 pm last night following public complaints that most of the pregnancies and other patients were being referred to Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu due to non-availability of doctors at the district hospital.
He issued instructions to the hospital functionaries to avoid referral of delivery and other normal cases as the hospital is well equipped to handle such cases.

He said all the hospitals of the rural pockets and remote areas have been equipped with required infrastructural facilities with adequate staff and medicines.

The minister directed the medical superintendent to conduct frequent rounds to check cleanliness in the wards and other sections of the hospital. He also warned the staff against unauthorised absence from duties.
Stressing on maintaining dress code, he asked the senior doctors to set an example for the junior staff in this regard. The minister said that eight advanced life support system ambulances (four each for Kashmir and Jammu divisions) shall be procured during the current financial year, which would be available for the needy patients.

He also announced Rs 3.5 crore for the construction of the additional block of the hospital.