JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo today informed the House that the government Medical College (GMC) and Associated Hospital Udhampur are functioning in conformity with the prescribed norms and standards and continue to provide efficient healthcare services to the public.
The Minister said this in reply to the Calling Attention motion moved by Pawan Kumar Gupta in the Legislative Assembly today.
He added that all essential departments, including Out-Patient Department (OPD), In-Patient Department (IPD), Emergency Services, and diagnostic facilities, are fully functional and adequately catering to the healthcare requirements of the region.
Regarding the incident reported on the night of 23rd January, 2026 in the Casualty/Emergency Section of Associated Hospital, Udhampur, the Minister said that an Internal Inquiry Committee was constituted forthwith to ascertain the factual position and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence of this unfortunate incident. She added that the Committee has observed that the patient had either expired prior to arrival or succumbed immediately upon being brought to the hospital and the formal declaration of death was made subsequently in view of the presence of attendants/relatives.
The Minister also said that the findings of the Inquiry Committee established that the doctors and medical staff on duty responded promptly and discharged their professional responsibilities in accordance with the established medical protocols under the circumstances.
She further said that in view of the incident and the circulation of related videos on social media platforms, the government appointed Professor Ashutosh Gupta, Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, as the Inquiry Officer to conduct a comprehensive probe into the sequence of events, including administrative, security and institutional aspects.
The Minister reiterated the commitment of government to ensure efficient and accountable functioning of Government Medical Colleges and Associated Hospitals across the Union Territory, while upholding the highest standards of patient care, institutional discipline and professional conduct. She added that necessary directions have been issued to the concerned authorities to ensure orderly functioning of emergency services and effective coordination in handling such situations.
The Minister also acknowledged the important role of public representatives in raising the matters of public concern. She expressed optimism that all the stakeholders will act in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to ensure the smooth functioning of healthcare institutions in the larger public interest.