SRINAGAR: This is in response to a news item which appeared in social media where it has been alleged that SKIMS doctors preferred watching cricket match over attending to critical patients.
SKIMS refutes the allegation. Two children had come to Paediatric Emergency SKIMS as a case of ingestion of caustic soda. The patients had been referred from SKIMS Medical College, Bemina. The children were seen by doctors on duty (Peadiatrics). Further, advise for consultation from Gastroenterology was sought. Doctors on duty in Gastroenterology advised to admit the patients under Paediatrics and observe. No active intervention was needed. While the formalities were being made for admission the attendants got angry and started altercation with the doctors on duty in Paediatrics, asking why no active intervention was being done.
It is important to mention here that endoscopy in such a setting is contraindicated as it can lead to serious complications.
Furthermore, the question of doctors watching cricket match does not arise when doctors were present on duty and no TV exists in these areas.