Srinagar: The medical education community in Jammu & Kashmir is reeling after the death of Dr. Tariq‑ul‑Islam, an intern at the Sher‑i‑Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Medical College, Bemina. Colleagues say he had been unwell for several days but continued to work since he was not allowed to take leave and performed patient-care duties until his condition worsened and led to heart failure.
Dr. Tariq was a member of the 2020 intern batch and was soon about to start his postgraduate studies when the illness struck. According to reports, his blood pressure dropped severely, during the illness and cardiac sonography indicated heart failure. He was transferred to advanced care at SKIMS but could not be saved. He passed away in early November.
SKIMS management held a condolence meeting in the college auditorium, where senior faculty described his passing as “a deep and irreparable loss to the SKIMS family”. The session included a two-minute silence and prayers for his soul.
Professional associations in the region also expressed their grief. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Doctors Association and the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) have urged the state government to provide ex-gratia compensation under the Employees’ Compensation Act, citing that Dr. Tariq’s death occurred in the line of duty.
Colleagues and junior doctors noted that Dr. Tariq had continued to work late into the night till 2am, treating patients despite his deteriorating health. Some observers used his passing to raise concerns about working conditions for interns, who often have long hours with minimal allowances. Reportedly he was only paid Rs.12,000 as stipend.
At this time, no official medical or forensic report has been published by SKIMS identifying the specific infection, risk-factors or preventive corrective measures. As of November 3 2025, SKIMS and the J&K Health Department have issued condolence statements but not released the cause of infection or inquiry report.
Meanwhile, the broader medical community remembers Dr. Tariq as a dedicated young doctor whose commitment to patient care remained strong even in adversity.
MedBound Times had reported previous instances where doctors have succumbed to heart related ailments while being on the line of duty. On the month of September, 4 Indian doctors passed due to sudden cardiac arrest and similar heart issues.
Ensuring sustainable workloads, structured rest periods, access to wellness resources, and culturally accepted self-care routines may be critical steps to safeguard doctors’ health.
(Rh/TL/MSM)
