Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag was established with the hope of providing quality healthcare to the people of South Kashmir. For many patients and attendants, however, the reality inside paints a deeply disappointing picture. Complaints regarding mismanagement, lack of supervision, delays in treatment, and inadequate patient care are becoming increasingly common.
Social media platforms have frequently witnessed videos and posts from patients expressing dissatisfaction with the hospital's functioning. Almost every week, a new complaint surfaces - from overcrowded OPDs to the absence of senior doctors and poor patient handling. The grievances are too frequent to be ignored.
Where Are the Senior Doctors?
I recently had a firsthand experience that reflects the larger issues within the system. While suffering from severe fever and allergy, I visited the OPD at GMC Anantnag expecting professional medical care. Instead of being examined by an experienced senior doctor, I was attended by what appeared to be a junior resident or trainee.
Patients visiting a government medical college naturally expect qualified senior doctors, especially in serious conditions. Junior residents play an important role in healthcare, but without proper oversight, patient care suffers. A patient at a tertiary care hospital should not feel uncertain about who is actually responsible for their treatment.
After the initial consultation, I was asked to undergo tests and return later in the afternoon. Despite my worsening condition, there was little urgency or coordination. The situation grew more distressing during the administration of an injection, where repeated failed attempts caused unnecessary pain. At a time when a patient is already physically weak, such experiences only deepen anxiety and frustration.
This raises a question many patients and attendants are asking: where are the senior doctors whose postings are officially at this hospital? If doctors are appointed, drawing government salaries, and assigned OPD duties, why are patients so often left entirely in the hands of junior residents? What is the purpose of those postings if experienced doctors are unavailable when needed most?
Growing Public Grievance
A hospital does not become a true Government Medical College merely because of large buildings and infrastructure projects. Healthcare institutions are judged by the quality of treatment, the presence of responsible doctors, and administrative accountability. Many residents say that SDH Seer, despite being a smaller institution, provides better organised and more satisfactory treatment than GMC Anantnag. Such comparisons are alarming for an institution expected to lead healthcare in the region.
People appreciate modern facilities, but healthcare cannot function on infrastructure alone. Expensive structures lose their value when patients continue to face negligence and lack of proper medical attention. The real strength of a hospital lies in disciplined administration, dedicated doctors, and humane treatment of patients.
The issue is not about blaming junior doctors. They are still in training, gaining practical experience, which is a natural part of medical education. But senior doctors must remain actively present to supervise, guide junior staff, and ensure treatment standards are maintained.
Another concern is the communication gap between patients and medical staff. In one instance, a patient tried to describe his condition in Kashmiri, saying "mea chu dugoash gasan" (blurred vision), but the junior resident reportedly failed to understand. Such situations create fear and frustration, particularly for elderly or rural patients who rely on their native language to explain symptoms. Doctors in public hospitals must be able to communicate effectively with local patients.
In a Government Medical College, every assigned position must be filled by a qualified, accountable, and fully responsible professional. Patients should never feel they are being treated by inadequately supervised staff. While training is essential, the final responsibility for diagnosis, treatment, and patient safety must always rest with experienced and authorised doctors. The growing public dissatisfaction should serve as a wake-up call. Authorities must ensure the regular presence of senior doctors in OPDs, improve patient handling, and create an environment where patients feel safe and respected.
The Way Forward
GMC Anantnag reflects a challenge common to hospitals upgraded from district-level institutions. Earlier, the district hospital focused on secondary care with accessible treatment for common illnesses, emergencies, and routine procedures. After conversion into a medical college, the focus shifted toward tertiary care, specialist services, and medical education. While this improved advanced healthcare and training, it reduced the ease of access for patients seeking routine care, causing frustration among a population that once depended on the district hospital for quick, direct treatment.
There is a strong need to re-establish a dedicated district hospital in Anantnag that functions independently of the medical college. Such a hospital would focus entirely on secondary-level care, including outpatient services, emergencies, maternal care, and common conditions, without the burden of academic responsibilities. This separation would allow the medical college to concentrate on advanced treatment and training, while the district hospital ensures faster, more accessible care for the general population.
Equally important is the expansion of telemedicine services across the district. By linking primary health centres with specialists at higher facilities, telemedicine can improve access, especially in remote areas, enabling early diagnosis, follow-up care, and better referral decisions, while reducing overcrowding in major hospitals.
Together, a dedicated district hospital and a strong telemedicine network would create a balanced healthcare system that improves accessibility, reduces patient burden, and delivers better health outcomes for the people of Anantnag.
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