Family Alleges Payment Demands During Critical Care; Paras Hospital Staff Suspended

In the wake of a patient’s death that has triggered widespread outrage in Srinagar, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Srinagar has ordered the suspension of several doctors and paramedical staff associated with Paras Hospital, terming the action as a measure pending the outcome of an ongoing inquiry. 

The order comes amid growing public anger and accusations that the hospital is functioning more as a "money minting enterprise" than a patient care facility.

The deceased, identified as Waseem Ahmad Pathan, reportedly died under questionable circumstances inside the hospital, prompting his family and scores of local residents to protest outside the hospital premises. The protesters accused Paras Hospital of gross medical negligence and unethical profiteering at the cost of patient lives.

According to the order issued by the CMO, eight  medical professionals and staff have been barred from practice, both within Paras Hospital and elsewhere in the region. They are Dr. Sheikh Zahoor Ahmad (Surgeon), Dr. Shah Naveed (Assistant), Dr. Zahid and team (Anesthetist), Dr. Syed Dawood (Anesthetist), Dr. Khawar (Anesthetist), OT Technician concerned, In-charge ICU and Nurse Insha.

“All the mentioned doctors and paramedical staff are directed to be available for the inquiry proceedings as and when called. Non-compliance shall be viewed seriously under rules and guidelines in vogue,” the order states.

The action is the result of preliminary findings by an inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident. According to family, the patient had undergone a surgical procedure, but developed complications allegedly due to mismanagement and delays in postoperative care.

Family members of the deceased allege that despite repeated pleas, the patient was not attended to properly in the ICU, and that the hospital kept demanding additional payments even during critical phases of treatment.

“He walked into the hospital and never walked out. All they did was shift him from one unit to another and ask us to pay more. There was no urgency, no care, just invoices,” said one of the relatives of the deceased.

Netizens on social media had called for a broader investigation into the practices of Paras Hospital. “This hospital has become a business hub. We want accountability, not apologies,” said one netizens.

Health activists have welcomed the CMO’s intervention but are urging for systemic reforms. “Temporary suspensions are not enough. There needs to be transparent audits, standardised protocols, and a regulatory mechanism to monitor private hospitals,” said a senior health rights advocate. [KNT]