Video of doctor filming surgery in Srinagar maternity hospital triggers anger

July 30, 2025 by News Desk

Meer Irfan

A vlog recorded by a doctor inside a Maternity Hospital in Srinagar has triggered fresh outrage in Kashmir’s healthcare sector, just days after a major doctor’s strike shut down emergency services at SMHS Hospital.

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In the undated video, which surfaced on Wednesday, the doctor is seen walking casually through various restricted areas of the hospital, including the labor room and later the operating theater, all while filming himself and his colleagues. “We went to the labour room, there was nothing, so we are going to the OT,” he says, before flipping the camera to show a live surgical procedure being conducted on a patient.

In one clip, he stops in a corridor to pose for selfies with fellow doctors, many of whom are seen smiling, giggling, and flashing signs, seemingly unconcerned about being recorded inside one of the most sensitive spaces in the hospital.

The video, while not widely circulated, has raised serious legal and ethical concerns. In November 2024, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Kashmir’s premier medical institution, issued a public order prohibiting any form of photography or videography within hospital premises, including emergency wards, ICUs, and operation theatres. The ban was introduced to protect patient privacy and dignity, and to avoid turning medical institutions into spectacles.

Medical professionals and privacy advocates have strongly condemned the video. “This isn’t just irresponsible, it’s a violation of the trust patients place in us,” said a senior gynecologist at a private hospital in Srinagar, speaking on condition of anonymity. “You’re inside an OT where a human life is being operated on. It’s not a stage for reels.”

The incident follows closely on the heels of the SMHS Hospital strike, where resident doctors had stopped work in protest after a colleague, Dr. Shahnawaz, was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s relative. That protest brought hospital services to a halt and led to major public inconvenience. However, in a twist that now flips the debate, the latest video has led many to question whether some doctors themselves are taking patient rights seriously.

“First they shut down hospitals for days, leaving poor patients stranded,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local resident. “Now they’re making videos in the OT. Is this what healthcare means now?”

Legal experts point out that the doctor’s video amounts to a violation of the Indian Constitution’s Article 21, which guarantees the right to privacy, especially in sensitive settings like hospitals. It also contravenes the Indian Medical Council’s ethical guidelines, which prohibit sharing patient information or visuals without consent. The act may also fall afoul of Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, which penalizes the capture or distribution of private images without consent.

This is not the only recent breach of patient privacy in Kashmir’s hospitals. Just last week, another government hospital released CCTV footage from its emergency ward, showing visibly distressed patients and their family members. The footage was reportedly shared to defend hospital staff following an altercation, but legal observers were quick to condemn it as a violation of both law and decency.

“Whether it’s leaked CCTV or a doctor’s selfie vlog, this is all part of a dangerous trend where patient dignity is being sacrificed for institutional ego or casual entertainment,” said Asiya Mir, an advocate from Kashmir. “Hospitals are not movie sets.”

As of now, there has been no official response from the administration of the Maternity and Child Care Hospital, or from the Government Medical College Srinagar, under which the hospital functions. The Kashmiriyat tried to reach the concerned hospital officials for their response, however, they did not respond despite several calls.

However, officials from the Health Department have confirmed that the video has been brought to their notice and that action will be taken if the doctor is identified.

Meanwhile, calls for accountability are growing. Multiple civil society groups have urged the Jammu Kashmir government to conduct an immediate inquiry, not only into the video but also into how hospitals across the region handle patient confidentiality and ethical conduct.

“This is about more than one doctor,” Advocate Asiya said. “Last time, a doctor was accused of laughing after a patient’s death. This time they are seen filming inside one of the most sensitive spaces without consent. This is insensitive and inhumane. This is about a culture that is losing sight of compassion and responsibility. We need to reset the moral compass of our medical institutions.”

The Kashmiriyat will continue to follow this developing story and the story will be updated if/ when we hear from the officials.