Hours after the death of a minor boy at Kulgam Hospital on Tuesday morning due to alleged medical negligence, the health officials have called for immediate reforms in the region’s healthcare system.
The Secretary to the Government, Health & Medical Education Department has issued stringent new directives aimed at improving hospital operations and accountability.
Director Health Services Kashmir convened a crucial meeting with Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Medical Superintendents from District, Sub-District, and Community Health Centers across Kashmir.
The meeting, held today, outlined a series of new mandates designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in healthcare delivery.
According to the new orders, “Morning Meetings” will now be mandatory at all District and Sub-District Hospitals, starting promptly at 9:30 AM and concluding before 10:00 AM. The meetings, chaired personally by Medical Superintendents or Block Medical Officers, will focus on improving patient services and addressing overnight issues, including referrals and deaths.
“It is crucial that these meetings are conducted by the heads of the institutions themselves to ensure that patient care is not compromised,” emphasized a department spokesperson. “The focus is on identifying and resolving issues swiftly to prevent any recurrence of negligence.”
The meetings will involve all relevant hospital personnel, including heads of clinical departments, casualty in-charges, and various service supervisors, the order read.
Issues from the previous day, particularly concerning patient care and any occurrences such as referrals and deaths, will be recorded and reviewed.
The CMOs and Medical Superintendents are also required to conduct night rounds to prevent unnecessary referrals to tertiary care hospitals. A detailed list of such referrals must be submitted on a fortnightly basis, read the order.
The new orders come in the wake of public outcry over the rising allegations of medical negligence across Kashmir.