Srinagar, July 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all doctors and paramedical staff in government healthcare institutions to strictly adhere to the norms regarding the wearing of white aprons and nameplates during duty hours.

The directive comes after it was observed that a significant number of medical professionals—including those engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM) and Ayush—do not wear aprons or display their identity properly, leading to confusion among patients and attendants.

“It has been observed that doctors and paramedical staff in various government healthcare institutions are not strictly adhering to the prescribed norms regarding the wearing of aprons and displaying of nameplates during duty hours. Such non-compliance is causing inconvenience to patients in identifying healthcare personnel,” reads the circular.

It reads that all doctors, including those engaged under NHM and Ayush, as well as all paramedical staff working in government healthcare institutions across the Union Territory are hereby directed to wear proper white aprons during their working hours and wear legible name plates displaying their full name and designation at all times while on duty.

All heads of institutions, medical superintendents, and chief medical officers have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the instructions in their respective institution,” it reads. (KNO)

Srinagar, July 26: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has launched an investigation into the recent incident at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar. Shri Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary (IAS), Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, has been appointed as the Enquiry Officer to probe the incident.

The enquiry officer has been directed by the government to submit a report within a period of fifteen (15) days.

According to government order, issued by the Health & Medical Education Department, the enquiry officer has been tasked with conducting an objective and comprehensive examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding the law and order situation that occurred at the college on July 23.

The officer will assess the immediate precursors to the incident and investigate the sequence of developments that followed. The order further states that the enquiry shall look into the reasons behind the closure of Operating Theatres (OTs), evaluate whether the closure was avoidable, and identify any individuals responsible for dereliction of duty or violations of established protocols.

The Enquiry Officer is also directed to recommend measures to enhance internal grievance redressal mechanisms, strengthen administrative coordination, and improve the overall functioning of the institution. Additionally, remedial and preventive actions are to be proposed to avoid such incidents in the future.

Shri Mohammad Ashraf Hakak (JKAS), Administrator of Associated Hospitals, GMC Srinagar, has been designated as the Presenting Officer in the case.

Srinagar, Jul 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Friday has written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, seeking immediate intervention to end the alleged harassment, extortion, and illegal seizure of livestock transporters passing through Punjab en route to Kashmir.

In the letter, National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, expressed “deep anguish and growing alarm over an ongoing crisis that has disrupted the critical supply of livestock to Jammu and Kashmir, severely affected the livelihoods of hundreds of dealers and transporters, and exposed the systematic harassment taking place at key checkpoints in Punjab.”

The letter noted that the Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association has been forced to suspend the transportation of livestock from outside states due to “repeated and unlawful harassment, extortion, and intimidation faced by truckers at various transit points in Punjab, particularly at Shambu and Madhopur checkpoints.”

According to the Association, “several truckers ferrying livestock to Kashmir have reported being forcibly stopped by local contractors who, under the false guise of enforcing cattle fair rules and in the name of animal welfare, are extorting huge sums of money from them.”