A Matter Of Dignity

The concerns raised by women patients over the absence of female staff in ECG rooms across government hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir are about dignity, privacy, and the fundamental right to access healthcare without discomfort or fear. When a woman hesitates to undergo a life-saving diagnostic test because she feels embarrassed or uncomfortable in the presence of a male technician, it is a failure of the healthcare system, not of the patient. An ECG is often the first and most critical step in diagnosing cardiac emergencies. Every minute counts. Yet, women are forced to delay the procedure, hoping for a female staff member to become available — a hope that is often unmet. Some women, as the report highlights, even skip the test despite medical advice. Such decisions, born out of necessity rather than choice, can have grave consequences. A delayed diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. The argument that patient comfort and privacy are integral to quality healthcare is not an exaggerated demand; it is a basic standard that any functional health system must meet. Female staff are routinely deployed in gynaecology and maternity wards. Why should ECG rooms be any different? The procedure requires exposure of the chest area, which, for many women, is a deeply private matter. A male technician’s presence, however professional, can cause stress and hesitation. This is not about questioning the professionalism of male staff but about respecting the cultural and personal sensitivities of women patients. The solution is simple and administratively feasible: ensure that every district and sub-district hospital has at least one trained female technician or healthcare worker available to assist women during ECG examinations. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, as a woman leader, is uniquely positioned to understand and address this issue. A clear policy directive from her desk would go a long way in restoring confidence among women patients. The government must act now. No woman should have to choose between her dignity and her health. It is time to ensure that every ECG room in Jammu and Kashmir is equipped with female staff — not as a favour, but as a right.