Srinagar, July 31 – What should have been a space of utmost care, trust, and professionalism has now become the center of a disturbing controversy. A video that recently surfaced on social media — apparently recorded by a doctor inside the labour room and operation theatre of a maternity hospital in Srinagar — has stirred both public outrage and professional concern.
The short clip, which quickly went viral, captured a walk-through of the hospital’s most sensitive zones — during what appeared to be an active surgical procedure. The doctor is seen casually recording himself and his surroundings, a move that has not only shocked the general public but also deeply disappointed many within the medical community.
“This isn’t just a breach of protocol; it’s a violation of dignity — both of the patient and the profession,” said a senior medical professional, who wished to remain anonymous. “We are trained to protect our patients, not to make a spectacle out of their most vulnerable moments.”
The backlash was swift. The Principal of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, under whose jurisdiction the hospital falls, has initiated an inquiry. The investigative team has been asked to submit a full report within 24 hours. Officials have emphasized that this act doesn’t just go against ethical medical conduct but may also attract serious legal consequences under the Information Technology Act 2000 and directives of the Medical Council of India (MCI).
What makes this incident even more troubling is that it follows another controversy — a recent episode at SMHS Hospital, where doctors reportedly misbehaved with a female journalist. That situation escalated into a strike, revealing deeper tensions in the healthcare system, particularly between professionals and the public they serve.
It’s clear that these aren’t just isolated incidents — they are signals. Signals that the healthcare system in Jammu & Kashmir is in urgent need of introspection, reform, and perhaps most importantly, a renewed commitment to compassion and ethics.
We must remember: a hospital is not just a place of treatment — it is a place of trust.
