JAMMU, July 26 — In a move aimed at ensuring greater transparency and accountability in public healthcare, the Jammu and Kashmir Health & Medical Education Department has issued a circular mandating the wearing of white aprons and name plates by doctors and paramedical staff across government healthcare institutions in the Union Territory.
The circular, dated July 25 and signed by Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS), Secretary to the Government, cites increasing instances of non-compliance with dress code protocols among medical staff, resulting in inconvenience to patients and difficulty in identifying healthcare personnel.
“It has been observed that doctors and paramedical staff in various government healthcare institutions are not strictly adhering to the prescribed norms regarding the wearing of aprons and displaying of nameplates during duty hours,” the circular reads. “Such non-compliance is causing inconvenience to patients in identifying healthcare personnel.”
Accordingly, all doctors—including those under NHM and Ayush—and paramedical staff have been directed to:
- Wear proper white aprons during working hours.
- Wear legible name plates displaying their full name and designation while on duty.
The directive applies to all government-run healthcare institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. Heads of institutions, medical superintendents, and chief medical officers have been tasked with ensuring strict adherence to the circular.
The development follows months of public pressure and advocacy, particularly from Mehraj Malik, the newly elected MLA from Doda, who has been vocal on the issue. Responding to the release of the circular on social media, Malik wrote:
“Finally, Health Department has woken up after 8 months! I was fighting this battle alone, even faced an FIR for raising the truth. Today, their eyes have opened. Aprons & name plates now made mandatory — this is just the beginning. Accountability in healthcare can’t be selective. #GMC #Doda #Justice”
Malik has been raising the issue of patient rights and healthcare transparency in his constituency and beyond. His efforts, which included raising the matter in public forums and allegedly facing legal consequences, appear to have catalyzed institutional response.
Observers say the measure, though overdue, will help restore public confidence in the system and ensure a professional environment in hospitals, especially in peripheral districts where administrative oversight is often weaker.
The Chenab Times News Desk