SRINAGAR: J&K government on Saturday instructed all doctors and paramedical staff in public healthcare institutions to wear white aprons and nameplates during duty hours, reaffirming existing norms after observing instances of breach.The latest directive comes days after a scuffle outside a prominent hospital in Srinagar involving patients and journalists on one side and protesting doctors on the other. The protests stemmed from a doctor being slapped after a critically ill patient passed away.“It has been observed that doctors and paramedical staff in various government healthcare institutions are not strictly adhering to prescribed norms regarding the wearing of aprons and displaying of nameplates during duty hours. Such non-compliance is causing inconvenience to patients in identifying healthcare personnel,” a health ministry circular states and directs heads of healthcare institutions to ensure strict compliance.Many doctors and paramedical staff have avoided wearing aprons fearing attacks after alleged medical negligence cases. The fresh directive has fuelled concerns that it would make doctors more vulnerable to attacks as aprons would make it easier to identify and target them. Senior doctors argue that aprons would do little to address core issues like excessively long working hours and rush of patients.The latest brawl unfolded on July 22 at Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital. CCTV footage shows a local, identified as Abid Hussain Bhat, slapping Shahnawaz, a resident doctor from UP who is reportedly physically challenged, causing the latter to fall to the ground. Bhat alleged negligence in treatment of his deceased brother-in-law.As doctors, interns, and staff protested the attack, a local woman journalist, Sufi Hidayah, alleged that she was harassed while covering the demonstration. “My only aim was to know what had happened with Dr. Shahnawaz and hear his side of the story as medical negligence allegations were dominating the media. As I approached him, a group of doctors surrounded and manhandled me. Some pulled at my clothes. Even the principal of GMC (inside SMHS) pushed me,” Hidayah said.Health minister Sakeena ordered Saturday an inquiry into the row and asked for a report within 15 days. Baseer ul Haq Chaudhary, director of National Health Mission in J&K, will head the probe and recommend remedial measures, officials said.