SRINAGAR: Condemning the recent incident at SMHS Hospital where an attendant physically assaulted a doctor, Health, Medical Education, School, and Higher Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday visited the hospital to take stock of the situation.

Itoo stated unequivocally that the shutting down of patient care services and emergency facilities is unacceptable and that those involved in the incident will not be spared.

"The incident should not have happened-especially inside a hospital. Anyone who has committed a wrongdoing will face action as per the law. However, the closure of the hospital cannot be justified and should not have occurred in the first place," she said.

The minister emphasized that patients arriving at the hospital were left without treatment due to the shutdown.

"Patients were left wandering without care. This was wrong. An investigation will be launched into the matter," she added.

Calling the closure of emergency, OT, wards, and other critical services "extremely wrong," she stressed that such actions would not be tolerated.

"Anything may be tolerable, but compromising patient care is not justifiable," she reiterated.

Itoo also visited JVC Hospital, where she witnessed a surge in patient load as many who were turned away from SMHS had to go there instead.

"Doctors are our brothers and sisters. They must treat patients with compassion, as people come emotionally and mentally distressed, hoping for a cure. After Allah (SWT), patients place their hope in doctors. But doctors can only treat-they cannot save someone from death," she said.

Addressing the issue of medical negligence, the minister said that inquiries are initiated in such cases, and doctors found guilty are punished as per the law. She confirmed that action has been taken in past cases.

She urged the public to exercise restraint and not to misbehave with or assault healthcare workers.

Regarding the assault at SMHS, Itoo said legal action is underway against those involved. However, she also warned that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the shutdown that followed the incident.

The minister announced the setting up of a grievance cell at the secretariat level to address complaints from patients, attendants, and doctors. Genuine complaints, she assured, will be thoroughly investigated and acted upon.

Furthermore, the Health Department will issue instructions requiring all doctors to wear aprons and nameplatesdisplaying their name, department, and specialization. She said this would be made mandatory-especially the apron.