SRINAGAR: In a grave administrative error, a man acting as a doctor tended to patients in the labour room of Srinagar’s Lal Ded maternity hospital for three consecutive days.
This incident has raised pressing concerns regarding the hospital’s security procedures and the well-being of its patients.
Hospital authorities have launched an inquiry to ascertain how this imposter managed to gain unauthorised entry into the facility. The individual in question has been apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday.
Dr Muzaffer Sherwani, the Medical Superintendent of Lal Ded Maternity Hospital, while speaking to The Kashmir Observer stated, “We are probing this matter and have requested an explanation from the security personnel.” Dr Sherwani revealed that the imposter was present in the hospital’s labour room, where he was discovered making rounds and examining patients by the Chief Medical Officer and other concerned officials.
Dr Sherwani explained, “Upon growing suspicious, we questioned the individual about his credentials. He identified himself as Dr. Aabid from South Kashmir’s Dialgam and claimed to be a cardiologist.” However, subsequent verification from the medical college’s daily roster failed to corroborate his identity. “When asked for documentation, he was unable to provide any. Subsequently, we notified the police, who detained him,” added Dr. Sherwani.
According to witnesses among the hospital staff, as per The Kashmir Observer, the individual examined seriously ill patients and issued prescriptions. Dr Sherwani expressed his concern by stating, “I have demanded an explanation from the security personnel. We have issued clear directives that no one, even if they hold a medical qualification, should be allowed access to the wards without being listed on the daily roster.”
An official from Rajbagh police station informed The Kashmir Observer that the individual may be suffering from mental health issues. The police have summoned the individual’s family to the police station and await medical documentation to assess his mental condition. In contrast to previous reports, the police have identified him as a resident of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
