 Early Times Report
Jammu, May 13: In a shocking display of dereliction of duty, some doctors and paramedical staff of Government Medical College (GMC) in the border district of Rajouri abandoned their posts and fled during intense Pakistani shelling amid Operation Sindoor, leaving the hospital in chaos.
Despite the Jammu and Kashmir government cancelling all leaves for Health Department employees due to the
war-like situation in the Union Territory, many staff members deserted the facility, severely hampering its ability to treat victims of the cross-border attacks.
The Rajouri district faced unprecedented turmoil as Pakistani shelling caused widespread destruction in civilian areas, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Among the victims was Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa, who lost his life on Saturday morning when an artillery shell struck his official residence. As injured civilians and security personnel flooded GMC Rajouri, the region’s primary healthcare facility, the absence of medical staff led to critical delays in treatment, prolonged suffering, and, in some cases, preventable complications.
Sources revealed that many of the fleeing staff belonged to influential families, reportedly confident that their connections would shield them from repercussions.
However, Dr. A.S. Bhatia, Principal of GMC Rajouri, took swift action, announcing that the salaries of all doctors and paramedical staff who deserted their duties would be withheld until further notice. “This is not just a punitive measure but a deterrent to ensure such behavior is not repeated,” Dr. Bhatia stated, condemning the staff’s conduct during the crisis.
The mass exodus plunged the hospital into disarray, with reports indicating that critical medical procedures were delayed and patients endured long waits without care. The incident has sparked outrage, with authorities emphasizing the need for accountability among healthcare professionals during emergencies. |
