By: Raashid Altaf
Sopore: A shocking case of alleged medical negligence at Hakeem Sonaullah Hospital, a private healthcare facility in North Kashmir’s Sopore town, has sparked outrage after reports emerged of a woman’s uterus being mistakenly removed instead of an ENT surgery.
The incident, which went viral on social media on February 5, has prompted swift action from authorities.
A day after the news surfaced, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sopore, S.A. Raina, took cognizance of the matter, sealing the operation theatre where the surgery was performed. “To investigate this unfortunate incident, we are collecting reports and have notified the hospital management. As a preliminary measure, we have sealed the theatre,” Raina stated. Calling the incident unacceptable, he questioned the competence of the involved doctors and assured that strict action would be taken under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines.
In response to the growing concerns, the Department of Health & Medical Education, J&K, issued an order titled “Suspension and Ban on Private Practice of Doctors,” placing two doctors—Dr. Anjum Nazir, Consultant Gynaecologist, and Dr. Tariq Ahmad Dar, Anesthetist—under immediate suspension. The order also banned them from engaging in any form of private practice within Jammu & Kashmir. Additionally, the hospital’s operation theatre will remain sealed until the inquiry is concluded.
Speaking to Kashmir Images, Dr. Anjum Nazir described the incident as unfortunate. “A doctor never wants a patient to suffer,” she said, adding that the inquiry’s outcome is awaited and that the situation has deeply impacted her professional reputation. She assured that the patient is stable and suggested that the media speak with the patient’s attendants. However, repeated attempts to reach the family for comments were unsuccessful, raising concerns over the clarity of the situation.
The incident has drawn strong reactions from various quarters. Civil Society Sopore expressed deep shock and urged authorities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms for private hospitals to prevent such mishaps in the future.
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) President, Dr. M. Yousuf Tak, while condemning the alleged negligence, emphasized the crucial role of the private healthcare sector in Kashmir. “If true, nobody can justify this negligence. However, private hospitals have successfully conducted thousands of surgeries, often compensating for the lack of adequate government health facilities in remote areas,” he said. Dr. Tak also urged the media to avoid sensationalism, warning that such incidents, if misreported, could demoralize the medical community.
