From hospital bed to board exam: Anantnag doctors’ compassion wins hearts

Anantnag, Nov 27: Fifteen-year-old Mutaiba from Dialgam village was rushed to the pediatric ward of Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag at dawn on Wednesday with gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting and severe abdominal pain.

Pale and barely conscious, she was immediately resuscitated.

“She was in distress and needed urgent resuscitation,” said Dr Showkat Shifa, associate professor and head of paediatrics.

As the medical team worked to stabilise her in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the Class 10 student surprised them with a faint question whispered through exhaustion, “Can I still go for my exam at 11 am?”

It was her final board exam, and the fear of losing an academic year weighed on her even more than her illness.

Moved by her determination, Dr Showkat formed an escort team-a doctor and a paramedic to accompany her once she was stable.

After initial treatment, she was shifted gently into an ambulance and taken to the exam hall under medical supervision.

Her father, Shabir Ahmad Reeshi, said he was overwhelmed by the support.

“I consulted Dr Showkat sahib, and he and his team ensured she received the best treatment and still made it to her exam,” he said, his voice breaking. “Doctors like him are a ray of hope and show the profession remains noble.”

Midway through the exam, the escort team updated Dr Showkat on her condition.

He even drove to the centre to check on her.

Dr Showkat said the teenager had been deeply anxious about losing a year.

“She thought she might fall behind,” Dr Showkat said. “She would have managed next year, but the psychological impact could have stayed with her.”

He added that the team simply did what they believed was their duty.

“We didn’t do anything extraordinary,” he said. “This is basic responsibility. We’re here for patients, and only when we truly care for them can we say we’ve done justice to our profession.”

After completing her paper, she was brought back to the hospital, where she told doctors it had gone well.

“We will now wait for her results,” Dr Showkat said.

For the doctors, it was an act rooted in compassion.

For her family, it meant protecting both her health and her academic future.