SRINAGAR: A stray animal allegedly entered the emergency ward of Government Medical College (GMC) Doda and defecated inside the hospital premises, triggering criticism over sanitation, security and healthcare management at the institution.
The incident came to light after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Mehraj Malik shared a video on social media showing what appeared to be a cow roaming inside the emergency section of the hospital.
“I am ashamed, this is the situation at the GMC Doda emergency ward. But my language is bad according to them, so requesting Sakina Itoo ji to use her own language to tackle this. Else I will,” Malik wrote while sharing the video.
“Keep making such videos wherever you see such things,” he added.
The incident is reported to have taken place on Sunday evening when patient and staff movement in the hospital was comparatively low because of the holiday. The visuals sparked sharp reactions online, with many users questioning hygiene standards and security arrangements at the hospital.
The episode assumes significance as Malik, who was recently released after his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) was quashed by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, has resumed visiting his constituency and raising public issues.
The legislator has frequently targeted the Health and Medical Education Department over alleged negligence and poor functioning in hospitals, particularly in the Chenab Valley region. His confrontational campaign against certain doctors and officials at GMC Doda had earlier led to legal and political controversy.
Last year, Malik was booked under the PSA by the district administration. The detention dossier had cited, among other allegations, his use of “foul language” against doctors and officials.
Following his release from Kathua jail earlier this month, Malik received a large public welcome from supporters and vowed to continue what he described as his struggle for public welfare and accountability.
There was no immediate official response from the hospital administration or the Health Department regarding the incident shown in the video.
