Reyaz Rashid
Baramulla, March 29:Serious allegations of medical negligence have surfaced against the ENT Department of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla after a PHE employee, Abdul Aziz Bhat, reportedly endured prolonged suffering due to an undetected foreign body lodged in his neck despite multiple medical interventions.
According to reports and medical documents available, Abdul Aziz Bhat sustained injuries while on duty, after a fall during water pipeline unblocking work. During the incident, a canister wire reportedly hooked his leg, causing him to fall onto wooden planks, during which a wooden piece pierced his throat/neck region.
He was immediately taken to GMC Baramulla, where doctors conducted an X-ray and reportedly concluded that no foreign body was present in the wound. Based on this assessment, he was treated and discharged.
However, within days, the patient developed complications, including swelling and infection at the injury site. A cytopathology (FNAC) report later confirmed the presence of an infected epidermoid cyst (acute inflammation), indicating an ongoing pathological process likely linked to the initial injury.
On February 16, 2026, under MR No. SH/0057/2026/04557525, the patient again reported to the ENT Department at GMC Baramulla. Doctors decided to perform an excision of the cyst, which was carried out on February 18, 2026, reportedly by Dr. Nouman. Post-surgery, the patient was prescribed antibiotics and topical medication, and the wound was sutured with four stitches.
Despite the procedure, the patient’s condition did not improve. Instead, he continued to suffer from persistent swelling and recurrent accumulation of pus, raising concerns about incomplete treatment. For nearly one and a half months, he remained on a course of heavy antibiotics, including Augmentin, Cefablast, Linzolid, and Seniclave, but the underlying issue remained unresolved.
In a shocking turn of events, on March 29, 2026, the actual cause of the persistent infection came to light. A foreign body reportedly emerged from the cyst, which was subsequently removed at a private clinic outside PHC Sheeri by a senior medical technician/pharmacist.This development has raised serious questions about the initial diagnosis and subsequent surgical intervention at GMC Baramulla by ENT department .The failure to detect and remove the foreign object during earlier examinations, including X-ray and surgical excision, has led to allegations of gross medical negligence.
The family and local residents have demanded a thorough probe and accountability, particularly questioning how a foreign body remained undetected through imaging and even after a surgical procedure conducted by a specialist.They have urged health authorities to initiate an impartial investigation into the matter, fix responsibility, and ensure that such lapses do not recur in the future.
The incident highlights critical concerns regarding diagnostic accuracy, surgical diligence, and patient care standards in one of the region’s primer healthcare institutions.
After SNS Kashmir highlighted the issue and sought official response, the Head of the ENT Department, GMC Baramulla, has issued an official notice seeking a detailed explanation from the concerned doctor. As per the document, Dr. Numaan Muhammad Qadri, a PG Scholar in the ENT Department, has been directed to submit a written clarification along with complete case records, investigation reports, operative notes, and discharge summaries.
The order further states that, pending inquiry, the doctor has been restrained from entering the operation theatre and performing any surgical procedures until further orders, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations.
This development has raised serious concerns regarding diagnostic accuracy and surgical care, particularly how the foreign object remained undetected during imaging and was not identified during surgical intervention.
Meanwhile, the family of the patient has demanded a fair and transparent investigation, along with justice and compensation for the financial losses and prolonged suffering endured by the patient. They have urged the health authorities to fix accountability and ensure that such incidents do not recur.