Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Feb 13 (KNS): In a shocking violation of privacy, the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora, Dr. Masarat Iqbal, has allegedly turned the hospital into a surveillance zone, spying on doctors, staff, and even patients through illegally installed audio-visual CCTV cameras.
The unauthorized surveillance has triggered widespread outrage, with many calling it an attempt to snoop on employees and eavesdrop on confidential medical discussions.
According to official sources, Dr. Iqbal directed to install audio-enabled cameras across the hospital without following due procedure to avoid getting caught. CCTVs have also been installed in highly sensitive areas such as the minor operation theatre, casualty ward, emergency doctors’ room, Sick Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU), medicine ward, LSCs, post-operative ward, COPD ward, registration section, and the drug counter.
The move has raised alarm among doctors and paramedics, who argue that such surveillance compromises patient confidentiality and staff privacy.
A doctor (name withheld) recounted a disturbing incident recently where he was discussing a highly personal medical issue—the removal of an abscess from a female patient’s breast—only to later discover that the entire conversation had been heard in the Medical Superintendent’s office through the spy cameras. Enraged by the violation, the doctor confronted Dr. Iqbal, condemning the illegal and unethical practice.
"This is not just CCTV surveillance for security purposes. This is an outright breach of doctor-patient confidentiality. Nowhere else in the country is patient privacy compromised in such a shameful manner," said a furious doctor.
Hospital employees are equally distressed. "Every conversation we have, even about personal matters, is being recorded in the MS's office. The next day, the entire hospital is gossiping about it. How can we work under such conditions?" said an agitated staff member.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Another employee added: "Instead of focusing on patient care, the administration seems more interested in spying on doctors, patients and staff. Are we criminals?"
Adding to the scandal, sources revealed that the CCTVs were procured in violation of government norms. Instead of following the mandatory procurement process via the Government e-Marketplace (GEM) Portal, the hospital authorities bought the cameras from the open market, allegedly to benefit a "blue-eyed" vendor.
"Apart from being a gross violation of privacy, this is a clear case of corruption. Who authorized these purchases? Who was benefited by procurement of equipment? This needs a thorough investigation," a hospital insider alleged.
With mounting anger among doctors and paramedics, hospital staff are now demanding immediate removal of these unauthorized surveillance cameras, strict action against those responsible, and an independent probe into the illegal procurement deal.
The incident has raised serious ethical and legal concerns, prompting calls for government intervention before patient trust in the healthcare system is irreparably damaged.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Masarat Iqbal stated that he aims to ensure doctors' punctuality and closely monitor them to improve healthcare services. “Some doctors are unwilling to perform their duties. I am strictly enforcing staff attendance, which is not sitting well with certain individuals,” he said.
However, he could not justify the need for audio-enabled CCTVs when attendance could have been monitored through video surveillance alone.
When asked whether CCTVs could be installed in emergency and casualty wards, he evaded the question, instead stating that he plans to shift the emergency ward to another location. “I personally monitor the CCTV footage, and no one else has access to it,” he added. (KNS)