Star Hospital’s OT Sealed for ‘Unsafe Conditions’
Full Closure Imminent, Legal Action to Follow: CMO Srinagar
Srinagar, August 6: The operating theatre at Star Hospital in Srinagar has been sealed by health authorities following a critical inspection that found severe unhygienic conditions in it.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Srinagar, Dr. Tahir Sajad, while confirming the sealing to Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, described the state of the theatre as “totally inhumane,” noting it was “very shabby and in severe unhygienic conditions.”
Dr. Sajad added that the theatre’s conditions were so dire, “it can’t be used for operating even animals; they would die there too, leave alone humans.”
He further criticized the theatre’s foul smell and extreme heat, stating, “The temperature was not less than 50 degrees.”
“The inspection team accompanying me, including ZMO Batamaloo, a team of Medical Officers, officials from the Ayushman Grievance Redressal Cell, and officials from the District Registration Authority, faced challenges after hospital administration obstructed routine supervision by the district task force team, misbehaved with staff, and used threatening gestures. This unacceptable behavior and the compromised patient safety and warranted immediate action. Consequently, we had to involve the local police,” he said.
Dr. Sajad indicated that the hospital would be sealed once all patients were discharged, stating, “Once all the patients are discharged, we’ll seal the entire hospital.”
“Also, legal action will be pursued against the hospital for its violation of health standards,” he added. (KDC)
