More than eight months after oxygen dip was witnessed at Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu during the first wave of COVID19, the Health and Medical Education Department Jammu is yet to make headway in fixing the accountability. What to say of the delinquency during the ongoing second wave.
Sources have divulged to The News Now that 21st September onwards, when the region was still suffering from the first wave, there was shortage of oxygen supply in Ward 3 of GMCH Jammu, resulting in dip in the oxygen concentration of the COVID patients, especially during the night hours. This had resulted in a panic situation among the patients and their families.
Following this, Departmental Proceedings were initiated against Dr. Deepak Kumar, I/C Deputy Medical Superintendent, Super Specialty Hospital, Government Medical College, Jammu, who was given the additional charge of GMCH on 15-09-2020 by Principal GMC vide Order No. GMC/2020/order/1213 dated 15-09-2020 for management of isolation ward, and ensuring continuous supply of oxygen cylinders by coordinating between various stakeholders including mechanical engineering wing and to ensure smooth functioning of manifold gas system.
Dr. Deepak Kumar was placed under suspension, in terms of sub Rule 31(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 vide Government Order No. 738-JK(HME) of 2020 dated 23-09-2020.
Also, a memorandum containing Article of Charges and Statement of Imputations was served on him vide Letter No. ME/Gaz/26/2020-Sgr dated 15-10-2020 asking him to submit his written statement of defence within 15 days from the date of issuance of the memorandum, which he submitted on 16-11-2020.
Thereby, the submission was examined in the Health and Medical Education Department and the competent authority ordered an enquiry into the matter by appointment of an Inquiry Officer.
As per Government Order No. 910-JK (HME) of 2020 dated 18-12-2020, sanction was accorded to the appointment of Nagendra Singh Jamwal JKAS, then Administrator, Associated Hospitals, Government Medical College, Jammu as Inquiry Officer, while Mtr. Zeba Sulemain JKAS, Administrative Officer, Government Medical College, Jammu was to act as the Presenting Officer on the enquiry. The report was sought within 15 days from the date of issuance of the order.
It has been learned that after considering the facts and observations, the Inquiry Report was submitted to the Administrative Department on 08-04-2021.
However, two months later, the progress in this regard – if the alleged person was penalized or acquitted, or some other person (s) was charged for the same – is yet to be made, sources tell.
“It is sheer lack of coordination and dereliction of duties on the part of H&ME and GMC officials that they are yet to make headway in fixing accountability in more than eight-months-old lapse of duty during a health crisis after the inquiry report has been submitted. And there must be more such lapses, which are waiting to be inquired into or acted upon,” the sources say.
It is noteworthy that the attendants have already complained several times about oxygen shortage during first wave and more so, during the second wave. It remains to be seen whether the concerned officials rise to the occasion and do the needful to ensure good governance and better healthcare for residents of J&K.
Also: Read my article at The News Now
No headway in fixing accountability at H&ME
Published in The News Now on 10th June, 2021
waliaharry 