Two officers suspended after patient dies of COVID-19 at GMC Jammu

Agencies. Updated: 9/24/2020 2:45:46 PM Regional News

JAMMU: Health and Medical Education Department on Thursday suspended two officers over shortage of oxygen supply to covid patients and alleged mismanagement at Government Medical College, Jammu which led to the death of a patient.

The suspension was ordered by the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo on the basis of an enquiry report submitted to him by the committee on ‘shortage of oxygen during the night of September 22 in ward number-3 of GMC leading to death of a patient’.

The committee consisted of MD, J&K Medical Supplies Corporation, Dr Yashpal Sharma, Chief Engineer Mechanical, Engineering Department, Jammu, Gagan Jyoti, and Medical Officer, Dr Jitender Mehta.

The enquiry committee has pointed out lack of coordination between the hospital administration and mechanical engineering wing of the GMC hospital. “This mismanagement has led to a poor service delivery system to the patients, particularly patients suffering from COVID-19,” the report reads.

It was alleged in the report that there has been mismanagement on part of hospital administration and the officers at helm of affairs have been dealing with the situation in a “very casual and unprofessional manner” due to which things were put in disarray and the available resources have not been put to optimal use.

Besides suggesting corrective measures, the committee also suggested action against the officers associated with the duty of managing oxygen supply in GMC Jammu.

On the basis of the report, the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo ordered suspension of Incharge Executive Engineer, Hospital Division, Mechanical Engineering Department, Tejinder Singh Soodan.

Soodan will remain attached in the office of Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department, Jammu.

Similarly, Medical Officer, Presently working as Incharge Deputy Medical Superintendent, Super Specialty Hospital, Jammu, Dr Deepak Kumar with the responsibilities of managing oxygen supply in GMC Jammu has been placed under suspension. During this period, he will remain attached in the office of Director Health Services, Jammu.

Besides, Medical Officer, Dr Harjeet Rai presently posted as officer on special duty in Health and Medical Education Department has been transferred and posted as Incharge Deputy Medical Superintendent, SSH, Jammu vice Dr Deepak Kumar.

Pertinently, following complaints about oxygen supply shortage and mismanagement in the GMC Jammu hospital, Advisor Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar alongwith senior officials visited the premier hospital of the region to review the situation, yesterday.


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