Mohd Irfan
In a dramatic turn of events, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Budhal, Javid Iqbal Choudhary, has accused the Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu of negligence and bureaucratic apathy, jeopardizing the lives of three critically ill girls from the remote village of Badhaal in Rajouri.
The girls, who were airlifted to Jammu following a health crisis in the region, remain stranded in GMCH Jammu, awaiting transfer to Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh for advanced care.
A video of MLA Budhal’s heated exchange with the Principal GMCH has gone viral on social media, showing Choudhary lambasting the official for not arranging a critical care ambulance to shift the patients to PGI Chandigarh despite their deteriorating condition.
You Are Playing with Lives! – MLA Budhal’s Fiery Rebuke
In the viral video, MLA Budhal can be heard accusing the Principal GMCH Jammu of “delay tactics” and “dereliction of duty.” He stated, “The Principal GMCH Rajouri had already coordinated with PGI Chandigarh, but the Jammu administration failed to act promptly. Due to your bureaucratic ego, these girls are suffering. I will not hesitate to get you booked for murder if anything happens to them.”
The MLA further criticized the Principal for failing to arrange critical care ambulances, forcing the patients and their families to wait indefinitely. “If not for my personal contacts at PGI Chandigarh, these patients would have been left in limbo,” Choudhary said. However, he revealed that a lack of available beds at PGI Chandigarh compounded the crisis.
Dual Power Structure: The Villain of the Crisis
Addressing the media, MLA Budhal launched a broader attack on what he described as the “dual power system” in governance, which he blamed for the delayed response and lack of accountability. “Instead of decisive action, the authorities passed the buck, leaving the patients to suffer. Had there been a unified command, these girls would have been in PGI Chandigarh by now,” he remarked.
The MLA also expressed frustration over the lack of coordination between central and state authorities. “Despite teams being sent by the central government, there is no timely follow-up. Samples were collected but not sent to appropriate laboratories, delaying critical test results by six days. In emergencies like these, delays can cost lives.”
Principal GMCH Jammu Defends Actions
In response to MLA Budhal’s allegations, the Principal of GMCH Jammu issued a statement defending the hospital’s efforts. “We are doing everything in our capacity to provide the best possible treatment to the patients from Badhaal. We have been in touch with PGI Chandigarh, but the lack of available beds there has been a significant hurdle. Our board of doctors is monitoring the situation closely to ensure the patients receive proper care,” the Principal said.
Critical Conditions in Badhaal: A National Emergency?
Describing the health crisis in Badhaal as a “national emergency,” Choudhary lauded the district administration of Rajouri for its proactive measures, including setting up quarantine centers. However, he warned of the potential for further escalation, citing the detection of neurotoxins such as cadmium in the affected patients’ samples. “The situation requires immediate intervention at the highest levels of government. Delays in test results and inadequate treatment facilities are unacceptable,” he asserted.
When asked about the potential for fear psychosis in the region, Choudhary assured that the administration is working to contain the crisis. “We are taking every step to break the chain of infections and mitigate risks,” he said.
Public Outrage and Political Ramifications
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many taking to social media to criticize the apparent bureaucratic bottlenecks. Political analysts warn that the episode could lead to a broader debate on the efficacy of healthcare governance in Jammu & Kashmir. As the three girls from Badhaal continue to fight for their lives, the public and political pressure on GMCH Jammu and state authorities is mounting. Whether this crisis serves as a wake-up call for healthcare reforms or merely fades into bureaucratic oblivion remains to be seen. For now, the lives of three young girls hang in the balance, victims of a system marred by ego clashes and administrative inertia.
